During a coup on Wednesday 26th July, Niger’s presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum inside the presidential palace. Military authorities have also closed air and land borders and imposed an overnight curfew across the country.
Action Against Hunger staff in Niger are safe, but some of our humanitarian activities have been temporarily suspended. Our teams are closely monitoring the situation and standing by to resume our lifesaving work as soon as it is safe and possible to do so.
The unravelling political situation in Niger is likely to further aggravate the country’s severe humanitarian crisis, its worst in a decade, which has been exacerbated by a late rainy season and long periods of alternating drought and floods.
From now until the end of August, cases of child malnutrition are expected to increase significantly, making our interventions even more necessary. According to the latest estimates, about four million people urgently need humanitarian assistance in Niger.
Action Against Hunger has been present in Niger since 1997. In Maradi, Tahoua, and Diffa, our teams support and partner with local and regional healthcare systems to treat and prevent malnutrition. We are also working to improve access to primary healthcare and sexual and reproductive health services. In addition, we are increasing access to clean water by building wells and improving sanitation by repairing and upgrading latrines. To support vulnerable families in times of crisis, we distribute food, seed kits, and cash assistance.