(Ecofin Agency) - The government of Niger launched yesterday Feb 25 its 2020 Humanitarian Response Plan that aims to assist 1.8 million people in humanitarian need in the country. The scheme is valued at $400 million.

Beneficiaries include internally displaced persons, returnees and refugees, vulnerable people living in host communities and other vulnerable populations. They will benefit from about 156 projects with a budget that is 39% higher than in 2019.

The new plan comes against a backdrop of a surge in terrorist violence in the Sahel region, which is forcing hundreds of thousands of people to abandon their homes. In addition, populations face weather challenges such as floods and are at risk of food stress. The consequences of this situation “are being felt on the nutritional status of the populations, especially the most vulnerable ones, namely women and children, with strong negative impacts on education and health,” according to Prime Minister Brigi Rafini (pictured).

A total of 2.9 million people need humanitarian aid, according to official statistics.

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou