Publication Date: 2023/08/21

NIAMEY, 19 August 2023 – “The crisis unfolding in the Republic of Niger continues to pose an even greater danger for millions of vulnerable children in the country. 

“The current situation is of great concern and adds a heavy burden to an already dire humanitarian landscape, where the prevalence of severe malnutrition amongst children is extremely high, one of the worst in West and Central Africa. 

“At present, more than two million children have been impacted by the crisis and are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.

“Already before the recent civil unrest and political instability in Niger, an estimated 1.5 million children under the age of 5 were forecast to be malnourished in 2023, with at least 430,000 children expected to suffer from the deadliest form of malnutrition. This is a figure likely to rise if food prices continue to spike and an economic downturn hits families, households, and incomes. 

“UNICEF continues to deliver humanitarian support to children throughout the country and has shipped Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to 1,300 health centres in July, which will treat 100,000 children in the coming months as the lean season continues. However, it is far from being enough.

“With recent electricity shortages, and 95 per cent of cold chain infrastructure in the health system dependent on it, more needs to be done to ensure childhood vaccines and other supplies are not at risk.

“We are alarmed that our life-saving supplies remain stranded at different entry points to the country and must urgently make their way to landlocked Niger. Right now, UNICEF has two containers stuck on the Benin border with essential cold chain equipment; 19 containers in the port of Cotonou, with immunization and cold chain equipment; and 29 containers destined for Niger currently on high sea, with therapeutic food supply and syringes.

“These life-saving supplies for malnutrition treatment and immunization are at risk of losing their effectiveness for the children we serve, if they are further delayed in entering Niger and exposed to the elements.

“UNICEF urgently calls on all key stakeholders of this crisis to ensure that humanitarian workers and supplies safely reach the most vulnerable children and their families. We also call on donors to safeguard humanitarian funding from multilateral or unilateral sanctions .”   

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About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

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For more information, please contact:

Priscilla Ofori-Amanfo, Chief of Communication, UNICEF Niger, Tel: +227 80 06 60 18 (+254 708 692 649 WhatsApp), poforiamanfo@unicef.org 

Ricardo Pires, UNICEF New York, Tel: +1 917 631 1226 rpires@unicef.org

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About UNICEF

UNICEF is the world’s leading humanitarian organization focused on children. We work in the most challenging areas to provide protection, healthcare and immunizations, education, safe water and sanitation and nutrition. As part of the United Nations, our unrivaled reach spans more than 190 countries and territories, ensuring we are on the ground to help the most disadvantaged children. While part of the UN system, UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary donations to finance our life-saving work. Please visit unicef.ca and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

For further information please contact:

Media@unicef.ca