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In Niger, a combination of recurrent drought and widespread poverty leaves the most vulnerable people unable to cope when environmental shocks occur.

Poor villagers in the Aguie area of Niger are discovering the many, unexpected benefits of keeping detailed records of their households and assets. As part of a new databank system introduced by IFAD in 2005, local people are developing a detailed census drawn from 27,000 individuals in 22 villages.

Niger – a forgotten country. A land lost in time, ancient, rich in culture and tradition. A nation of subsistence farmers and herders, underdeveloped, out of touch with the world. Niger the second poorest country on Earth.

From 19 to 24 December 2005, more than 2 million long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets are distributed to all the mothers with children under five in Niger. Over 3.5 million children are thus going to be protected against malaria.

Babies are getting a healthier start in life at the 17 Portes Maternity Hospital in Maradi, Niger's third largest city located in the country's south. "Thirty minutes after delivery," says Bintou Dembo. "Mothers begin breastfeeding their newborns."

The first of 12 kindergartens aimed at preventing malnutrition among children in Niger recently opened its doors in an effort by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Volunteers (UNV) to respond to the country’s ongoing food crisis.

Drought and plagues of locusts have caused severe food shortages in Niger, one of the poorest countries in the world. Aid agencies have warned that 3.6 million people could be affected.

The vast landlocked West African country of Niger faces an increasing demand upon its scarce water resources, the lack of which - when added to poor sanitation and hygiene - results in high levels of death and disease among its 13 million inhabitants.

Tillabery was one of the regions hardest hit by the Sahel food crisis in 2004-2005. Hundreds of lives were lost here due to hunger, and lack of access to adequate medical services.