3. Harvests failed in many areas in 2011.
Today, many people have run out of food
- and food prices are alarmingly high.
4. The poor harvest was the result of failed rains, and,
in some areas, infestations of pests like caterpillars or
crickets.
5. “We planted last year
but there was a long
drought. When the
millet was about to
bear gains, the rain
stopped.
What is very painful
is when children
surround you and
say „We need food‟
and there is no food
to give them.”
Hamani,
Dosso Region, Niger
6. “There are times when the
children hold me and say,
„Grandma, we need to eat.‟
I don‟t have anything.
I have several months in
the darkness. I am afraid
of the future.”
Mintou,
Dosso Region, Niger
7. “When I am really hungry, it hurts my
stomach, and then it ends up giving
me a headache. I can‟t hear what the
teachers are saying.”
Halarou, Dosso Region, Niger
8. Many people have been forced to leave their villages because of
the lack of food, or because of conflict.
Momoudou and his nine children have moved to Niamey, the
capital of Niger, where they are living in a tiny shelter made of
cardboard boxes and tarpaulin.
9. “For me, this is the worst ever
season. In previous years, I
could harvest something.
The most important thing for
us in the future is food. How
can I feed my family?”
Momoudou, Niamey, Niger
10. With your support, we are
running health centres for
malnourished children across
Niger.
11. We are distributing food to the
most vulnerable, and setting up
cereal banks that provide grain
at subsidised prices.
12. We are paying people in cash or food
to work on projects that benefit their
communities – like half-moon
fields, which prevent water from
draining away when it rains.
.
13. And we are making sure that people who
were forced to flee their homes have food
and essential supplies – like pots, pans and
clothes.
14. “I am very happy to have received
your support. If I hadn‟t come here,
I don‟t know what would have
happened to my baby.
Please continue to support us in
these changing times.”
Haoua, Niamey, Niger
15. Help us respond to the crisis>>
Photos:
Nick Harrop/CAFOD
Franziska Koller/Caritas Suisse
Peter With/Caritas Denmark
