The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has allocated approximately NOK 3.5 million (half a million USD) in assistance for Niger in response to an appeal by UNICEF.

The Norwegian funds will mainly be directed towards children and young people in this West African country. According to UNICEF, 800 000 children under the age of five are affected by the food shortages and 150 000 children are severely under-nourished.

Large population groups in Niger are now in a desperate situation due partly to drought and desertification and partly to an earlier locust infestation. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, moreover the public administration is weak in most areas.