“The real problem of the people here is poverty,” said Moussa Ganaon, the mayor of Ollelewa county. “The people here have absolutely no money to buy food or medicines for their children, they depend on help from relatives and friends who themselves don’t have enough”.

Moussa tried to comfort a group of about 20 women, almost all of them with malnourished children in their arms, some of them severely wasted. But aside from pity, the official had nothing else to offer. “We cannot afford to give services and medicines for free, our town has no income,” he said.

“There is a structural problem of malnutrition in Niger. Even during a good harvest we face this kind of malnutrition among children,” said the UN Children’s Fund Representative, Adjibade Aboudou Karimou.

Although Niger is huge, it cannot feed its people because of an archaic system of food production that is almost totally dependent on rain fed agriculture in the arid Sahel.

“Even if the rains are good this year the harvest will not be enough,” said one elder.

While the current crisis may be easing as the humanitarian operation kicks into gear, the next seems already in the making.







Alessou, 2, receives attention from a dotor whilst receiving aid in a Save The Children Clinic in the village of Kouna on August 10, 2005 near Tessaoua, Niger. The Save The Children Foundation is running clinics in local villages in order to aid the malnourished children of Niger. A food crisis is threatening the lives of thousands in the impoverished West African nation. and approximately 5 million in the region. Niger is the second poorest country in the world, with 64 percent of the 12 million inhabitants surviving on less than USD 1 (81 euro cents) per day. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)






A young Nigerois baby is measured in order to ascertain his level of malnourishment in order to receive the relative amount of aid and attention in a Save The Children Clinic in the village of Kouna on August 10, 2005 near Tessaoua, Niger. The Save The Children Foundation is running clinics in local villages in order to aid the malnourished children of Niger. A food crisis is threatening the lives of thousands in the impoverished West African nation. and approximately 5 million in the region. Niger is the second poorest country in the world, with 64 percent of the 12 million inhabitants surviving on less than USD 1 (81 euro cents) per day. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)





Alessou, 2, is measured in order to ascertain his level of malnourishment in order to receive the relative amount of aid and attention in a Save The Children Clinic in the village of Kouna on August 10, 2005 near Tessaoua, Niger. The Save The Children Foundation is running clinics in local villages in order to aid the malnourished children of Niger. A food crisis is threatening the lives of thousands in the impoverished West African nation. and approximately 5 million in the region. Niger is the second poorest country in the world, with 64 percent of the 12 million inhabitants surviving on less than USD 1 (81 euro cents) per day. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)






A small Nigerois boy looks on as he sits with his mother whilst waiting for treatment in a Save The Children Clinic in the village of Kouna on August 10, 2005 near Tessaoua, Niger. The Save The Children Foundation is running clinics in local villages in order to aid the malnourished children of Niger. A food crisis is threatening the lives of thousands in the impoverished West African nation. and approximately 5 million in the region. Niger is the second poorest country in the world, with 64 percent of the 12 million inhabitants surviving on less than USD 1 (81 euro cents) per day. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)

So bad to see...

Hundreds of Nigerois women wait in line with their malnourished children whilst waiting to receive aid from the Save The Children Clinic in the village of Kouna on August 10, 2005 near Tessaoua, Niger. The Save The Children Foundation is running clinics in local villages in order to aid the malnourished children of Niger. A food crisis is threatening the lives of thousands in the impoverished West African nation. and approximately 5 million in the region. Niger is the second poorest country in the world, with 64 percent of the 12 million inhabitants surviving on less than USD 1 (81 euro cents) per day. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)







A young Nigerois baby receives a MUAC (Middle and Upper Arm Circumference) test in order to establish his level of malnourishment in the village of Kouna on August 10, 2005 near Tessaoua, Niger. The Save The Children Foundation is running clinics in local villages in order to aid the malnourished children of Niger. A food crisis is threatening the lives of thousands in the impoverished West African nation. and approximately 5 million in the region. Niger is the second poorest country in the world, with 64 percent of the 12 million inhabitants surviving on less than USD 1 (81 euro cents) per day. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)





Young Nigerois babies wait to receive treatment after having ascertained their level of malnourishment in a Save The Children Clinic in the village of Kouna on August 10, 2005 near Tessaoua, Niger. The Save The Children Foundation is running clinics in local villages in order to aid the malnourished children of Niger. A food crisis is threatening the lives of thousands in the impoverished West African nation. and approximately 5 million in the region. Niger is the second poorest country in the world, with 64 percent of the 12 million inhabitants surviving on less than USD 1 (81 euro cents) per day. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)







A young Nigerois baby sucks on his thumb whilst waiting to be weighed to ascertain his level of malnourishment in a Save The Children Clinic in the village of Kouna on August 10, 2005 near Tessaoua, Niger. The Save The Children Foundation is running clinics in local villages in order to aid the malnourished children of Niger. A food crisis is threatening the lives of thousands in the impoverished West African nation. and approximately 5 million in the region. Niger is the second poorest country in the world, with 64 percent of the 12 million inhabitants surviving on less than USD 1 (81 euro cents) per day. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)





A young Nigerois baby cries whilst being weighed to ascertain his level of malnourishment in a Save The Children Clinic in the village of Kouna on August 10, 2005 near Tessaoua, Niger. The Save The Children Foundation is running clinics in local villages in order to aid the malnourished children of Niger. A food crisis is threatening the lives of thousands in the impoverished West African nation. and approximately 5 million in the region. Niger is the second poorest country in the world, with 64 percent of the 12 million inhabitants surviving on less than USD 1 (81 euro cents) per day. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)





A small Nigerois boy cries as he sits with his mother whilst waiting for treatment in a Save The Children Clinic in the village of Kouna on August 10, 2005 near Tessaoua, Niger. The Save The Children Foundation is running clinics in local villages in order to aid the malnourished children of Niger. A food crisis is threatening the lives of thousands in the impoverished West African nation. and approximately 5 million in the region. Niger is the second poorest country in the world, with 64 percent of the 12 million inhabitants surviving on less than USD 1 (81 euro cents) per day. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)

A small Nigerois boy cries as he sits with a meal of leaf soup in front of him whilst waiting for treatment in the village of Kouna on August 10, 2005 near Tessaoua, Niger. The Save The Children Foundation is running clinics in local villages in order to aid the malnourished children of Niger. A food crisis is threatening the lives of thousands in the impoverished West African nation. and approximately 5 million in the region. Niger is the second poorest country in the world, with 64 percent of the 12 million inhabitants surviving on less than USD 1 (81 euro cents) per day. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)





The figure of a malnourished young boy is seen as he waits for his mother to bathe him whilst receiving shelter and care at an MSF Medical Clinic on August 6, 2005 in Maradi, Niger. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)





A young malnourished boy waits for his mother to bathe him whilst receiving shelter and care at an MSF Medical Clinic on August 6, 2005 in Maradi, Niger. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)








A malnourished young girl is held by her mother whilst receiving shelter and care at an MSF Medical Clinic on August 6, 2005 in Maradi, Niger. A food crisis is threatening the lives of thousands in the impoverished West African nation. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)





A malnourished young boy is weighed in order to ascertain the level of attention he requires before receiving shelter and care at an MSF Medical Clinic on August 6, 2005 in Maradi, Niger. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)






A Grandmother sits with her grandson from Niger suffering from malnutrition at d’Aguie nutritional centre in Maradi, Niger, 28 July 2005. UNICEF has issued an additional emergency appeal for US$14.6 million (12.4 million euro) to care for 32,000 children suffering from severe under-nutrition and 160,000 children suffering from moderate under-nutrition in Niger and to help stop the deadly cycle of starvation. 3.6 million people in Niger have been made vulnerable by the current crisis which includes 800,000 children under five years of age.




A child from Niger suffering from malnutrition at d’Aguie nutritional centre in Maradi, Niger, 28 July 2005. UNICEF has issued an additional emergency appeal for US$14.6 million (12.4 million euro) to care for 32,000 children suffering from severe under-nutrition and 160,000 children suffering from moderate under-nutrition in Niger and to help stop the deadly cycle of starvation. 3.6 million people in Niger have been made vulnerable by the current crisis which includes 800,000 children under five years of age.

Firdaoussi Saadou, 10 months, old and 3,7 kg, suffering from severe malnutritan at the Paediatric hospital in Maradi, Niger, 28 July 2005. UNICEF has issued an additional emergency appeal for US$14.6 million (12.4 million euro) to care for 32,000 children suffering from severe under-nutrition and 160,000 children suffering from moderate under-nutrition in Niger and to help stop the deadly cycle of starvation. 3.6 million people in Niger have been made vulnerable by the current crisis which includes 800,000 children under five years of age.





Mothers and children at the d’Aguie nutritional centre in Maradi, Niger, 28 July 2005. UNICEF has issued an additional emergency appeal for US$14.6 million (12.4 million euro) to care for 32,000 children suffering from severe under-nutrition and 160,000 children suffering from moderate under-nutrition in Niger and to help stop the deadly cycle of starvation. 3.6 million people in Niger have been made vulnerable by the current crisis which includes 800,000 children under five years of age.













A mother holds her baby which is suffering from malnutrition 09 August 2005 in the French humanitarian organization “Medecins Sans Frontiers” (Doctors Without Borders) camp in Maradi. French army forces operating out of Gabon are flying 30 tonnes of food aid provided by the small west African country to Niger, where it will be used to relieve an acute famine, the French defence ministry said on Tuesday. (Photo by Issouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty Images)





A baby suffering from malnutrition sits at his mother’s feet 09 August 2005 in the French humanitarian organization “Medecins Sans Frontiers” (Doctors Without Borders) camp in Maradi. French army forces operating out of Gabon are flying 30 tonnes of food aid provided by the small west African country to Niger, where it will be used to relieve an acute famine, the French defence ministry said on Tuesday. (Photo by Issouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty Images)





A mother holds her baby which is suffering from malnutrition 09 August 2005 in the French humanitarian organization “Medecins Sans Frontiers” (Doctors Without Borders) camp in Maradi. French army forces operating out of Gabon are flying 30 tonnes of food aid provided by the small west African country to Niger, where it will be used to relieve an acute famine, the French defence ministry said on Tuesday. (Photo by Issouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty Images)




A nurse examines a baby suffering from malnutrition 09 August 2005 in the French humanitarian organization “Medecins Sans Frontiers” (Doctors Without Borders) camp in Maradi. French army forces operating out of Gabon are flying 30 tonnes of food aid provided by the small west African country to Niger, where it will be used to relieve an acute famine, the French defence ministry said on Tuesday. (Photo by Issouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty Images)




A nurse examines a baby suffering from malnutrition 09 August 2005 in the French humanitarian organization “Medecins Sans Frontiers” (Doctors Without Borders) camp in Maradi. French army forces operating out of Gabon are flying 30 tonnes of food aid provided by the small west African country to Niger, where it will be used to relieve an acute famine, the French defence ministry said on Tuesday. (Photo by Issouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty Images)

suffering so much....shit....

malnutiriton....very bad case for these little children..

i feel so bad for such things ... i am feelin v lucky now to wat i am

it makes very sad

There are a lot of programs on africa in bbc world.

its so sad to see these picture.. think of tons of tons food threwn out into sea every year because its over sales date.. ;( and think of these people who does not have any money to live for

oh i think i hav made so much sins in my pre-birth that i hav to c these now.
oh god pls help them.