Southsider witnesses hunger crisis in African desert nation

A SOUTHSIDE aid worker has returned from a major food crisis in the drought-hit West African country of Niger where millions are suffering from hunger and malnutrition. 

Maedhbh McDonald (26),  from Rathfarnham, was in the landlocked former French colony in her capacity as web content editor with aid agency Concern Worldwide, who are helping communities protect and rebuild their water wells, crops and livestock. 

“In a world that produces more than enough food to feed to everyone, it is difficult to understand why so many families must go hungry,” said Maedhbh. 

A massive 80 per cent of Niger is made up of the Sahara desert and temperatures average in the mid-30s at this time of year, rising to the late forties in the summer, which has given it the nickname, the ‘frying pan of the world’.

Niger’s population is also growing by over one million a year, and is currently at over 20 million, four times the population of Ireland. Communities also fear terrorist attacks. 

Maedhbh met a young family who went without food for 10 days so that their two children could stay alive with the tiny amount they had.

Many, she said, are surviving on just one bowl of porridge a day, due to the severe shortage of food. 

The Trinity College graduate said tnhat arriving in Niger, the least developed country in the world, from Ireland, the sixth most developed country in the world, was a culture shock.

“Driving from the airport, I was immediately struck by the stark lack of infrastructure,” she said. “The buildings were predominately one storey and the roads were sand tracks.

“One health centre I visited was thronged with mothers cradling their children.

“Most of the mothers sat quietly, almost withdrawn as they waited for help for their severely malnourished babies.

“They were worryingly thin and told me they survive on daily rations of millet porridge.

“They explained that they are subsistence farmers and rely entirely on their harvest to feed their families.

“Crops have failed and there is no back-up plan. People have no food, no money and no way to escape starvation.”

Maedhbh met 18-year-old mother-of-two Nadiya Imbrahima and her daughter Loubaba, who at seven months was visibly suffering from malnutrition as she sat on her mother’s knee in the health clinic. 

Loubaba, who also had a fever and diarrhoea, weighed just 4.7kg (10.3lbs).

Maedhbh said: “Nadiya hadn’t eaten anything at all that day, but was determined to remain strong for her sick and vulnerable baby.

“Loubaba was quickly assessed and provided with the appropriate treatment and therapeutic food.

“The next day I travelled to Nadiya’s home where she lives with her other daughter Nassayba, who is three, and her 19-year-old husband Hassane. 

“Their land was arid and barren and I understood how difficult it must be for them to farm there.

“Loubaba still looked very thin and lethargic and was crying. Nadiya said she was crying because she was hungry.

“Nadiya’s husband Hassane said they went a week and a half without food and that he feels helpless not being able to provide for his family.

He said: “We went 10 days last month without eating and this increases every month. I feel desperate and helpless.”

Concern Worldwide is asking anyone who would like to support their work to make a donation by calling 1850410510. To find out more information go to www.concern.net.