Starvation looms for millions of people in the landlocked African country of Niger. Earlier this month, the World Food Program executive director Josette Sheeran declared Niger an emergency operation, saying that the brains and bodies of children under five may become damaged for life. “We risk losing a generation there,” she said.
Despite the ongoing massive humanitarian calamity, there has been scant attention paid to the food crisis in Niger. So, I thought a discussion about the Niger food crisis might be a good opportunity to kick off a new multi-media interview series in which I talk to experts about under-the-radar news items. Moments ago, I spoke with Anna Horner at the World Food Programme’s regional bureau in Dakar, Senegal. She describes the nutrition and food crisis in Niger, how it came about, and what can be done to stave off further disaster. Have a listen: