IMF focuses on Niger relief

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With 2.5 million people directly affected by Niger's severe food shortage, UN agencies have launched a series of appeals for international aid. The IMF is also playing a role, working closely with international donors to mobilize additional resources and encouraging the government to take every possible step to deal with the country's immediate needs.Within the next few weeks, an IMF mission is due to go to Niger to assist the authorities.

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IMF joins the Niger relief effort

In recent weeks, the world's attention has been focused on the severe food shortages afflicting Niger as a result of the confluence of natural disasters: prolonged drought and a locust invasion. According to the United Nations, about 2.5 million of Niger's 12 million people are directly affected by the crisis.

UN agencies have launched a series of appeals for international donations totaling $57.6 million.While the initial response to the call for aid was slow, donations and assistance now are arriving more rapidly because of the intense media attention given to the issue.

Disaster relief is the responsibility of the whole international community, especially the UN agencies, the World Bank, and nongovernmental organizations. The IMF also is playing a role-working closely with international donors to mobilize additional resources to address the food shortages and assist long-term development. In addition, the IMF is in close consultation with the Nigerien authorities on a range of related issues. The IMF has encouraged the government to take every possible step to deal with the immediate needs, fully supporting all government spending aimed at addressing the food crisis and alleviating the effects of the drought.

In addition, the IMF has signaled that it is prepared to increase Niger's access to IMF financing if grant aid proves to be insufficient. An IMF mission is expected to visit Niger later this month to assess recent developments and to assist the government in its efforts to address the food crisis.

Toward debt and poverty reduction

The food crisis is occurring in a country that already faces many economic difficulties. One of the poorest countries in Africa, Niger has been working hard in recent years to address the needs of its population. Over the past five years, Niger has made significant progress in restoring macroeconomic stability and liberalizing its...