World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide

Malnutrition rates are always high in Niger. Before the current Sahel food crisis, one in five children under 2 were malnourished. However, malnutrition levels could deteriorate dramatically in the coming weeks as families’ food stocks continue to run out. 

In Niger, WFP has launched an emergency operation which at its peak in the June-September hunger season will reach 2.6 million people with food and cash, with a special focus on those most vulnerable to malnutrition, including children under two. Here, women arrive at a distribution centre in Ouallam, in southwestern Niger, to receive nutrition support from WFP for themselves and their babies.

Prevention and treatment of moderate acute malnutrition is at the core of WFP’s Sahel response. It is expected that this will lead to a decrease in mortality. Here, a young boy has his MUAC (mid-upper arm circumference) measured - a MUAC between 11 and 12.5 centimetres indicates moderate acute malnutrition.

Prevention of malnutrition is done through blanket supplementary programmes: when all members of a vulnerable demographic group (children under 2, pregnant and nursing women) in a targeted area receive supplementary, nutritious food. Here, mothers are registered before receiving the blanket feeding ration. 

Checking off names on the beneficiary roster using identification cards. 

In Niger and across the Sahel, WFP is distributing rations of Super Cereal Plus to mothers for their babies. Super Cereal Plus is a new formulation of fortified corn and soy flour enhanced with essential micronutrients, plus dried milk powder, sugar, a higher fat content, and reduced fibre. WFP is also using ready-to-use food that require no cooking, such as Plumpy'doz and Plumpy'sup. 

Super Cereal Plus seeks to prevent acute malnutrition in children 6-23 months old by providing a ration high in energy  and essential micronutrients, while also making it more digestible and appetising. Children under 6 months old are not included as they should be breast-fed by their mothers, who are also being targeted with WFP assistance. Mothers receive Super Cereal, a similar fortified flour blend product. Here, mothers are shown how to prepare the Super Cereal Plus into a porridge for their babies.

Blanket supplementary feeding for children under two and nursing mothers is underway in all targeted regions of Niger – Niamey, Tillaberi, Maradi, Dosso, Diffa, Tahoua and Zinder.