Niger already had a fragile food security situation even before last month’s military coup, which prompted upheaval, internal displacement, and food access issues due to an import ban imposed by the Economic Community of West African States.
The World Food Programme estimates that typically 20%-30% of Niger’s population faces food insecurity due to recurring droughts and conflicts arising from resource scarcity.
Now the convergence of climate change and the recent political upheaval has amplified the uncertainty surrounding the future of food security in the country. Around 3 million people are already finding it difficult to afford one meal per day, and WFP has warned that July’s military coup could push a further 7 million into the same situation, as food aid piles up at the border and food prices inside the country increase.