Acknowledging Severe Famine In Niger

Niger, one of the poorest countries in the world, with the highest birthrate is suffering from a food crisis. After the country's autocratic president, Mamadou Tandja was overthrown in February, sacks of grain and stored food were in short supply almost all gone. The old president would not accept the fact that Nigerians were starving, and would accuse journalists covering the issue of not being patriotic, nobody was allowed to speak about the famine. Today the new prime minister travels the country asking about hte food shortage and the new military government is acknowledging the hunger crisis, both asking for help. Officials say the worst may yet be to come due to the period between last year's crop failure and the fall harvest, and a 70percent decrease of rainfall in the region. The main problem is that in this Muslim country family planning issues are not a top priority to the people or government officials. For more on the issue.
Submitted by: Jessica Seggman