CaLP workshops in Zinder and Tessaoua (Maradi)

The CaLP  two-day workshops aim to contribute to the current emergency response by building field cash and vouchers practitioners capacity in CTP through exchanges and guidance. The first round of workshops took place in Zinder, 14-15 February; and in Tessaoua (Maradi Region), 17-18 February 2012. This round was hosted by Save the Children field offices and attended by Government officials, Red Cross Societies, UN, INGOs and LNGOs and private sector CTP partners (microfinance institutions). The next rounds will include Tahoua and Tillaberi in the western most affected part of Niger.

Training on HEA Analysis

WFP and Save the Children responded to CaLP request for training on Household Economy Analysis (HEA). The first phase – theoretical – took place from 27 February to 3 March 2012. The second – practical – will be carried out from 8^th to 21^st March 2012. This training shed light on important CTP issues like targeting, assessments, market monitoring, etc. Niger CTWG called for this training that will help them to prepare their response to the humanitarian crisis in Niger.

Responding to the 2012 food security crisis in Niger

Workshop on targeting and setting transfer values

A one-day workshop will be held on 2 February, allocated to Niger-specific “targeting” and “value of the cash transfer". This workshop aims at providing guidance on minimum standards for these two themes.

Launch of the Good Practice Review in Niamey

CaLP and the Niger government launched the French version of the Good Practice Review on Cash Transfers in Emergencies in Niamey, Niger, on 15^th December 2011. The ceremony held at the Seyni Kountché stadium in Niamey and was merged with CaLP-Private sector CTP exhibition. Banks, Micro-finance institutions and Mobile phone companies exposed their products and services related to CTP. ATM devices of many kinds, mobile phone services and devices, financial and banking systems and products and services were shown to the public. 150 people were invited including Government officials, CTP head of programmes, UN, INGOs and LNGOs, donors and private sector CTP partners (banks, Microfinance institutions and Mobile phone Companies).

ACAPS Secondary Data Review for Niger

This document was prepared by CaLP, ECB, infoasaid and ACAPS based on review of secondary data, field studies on-going during the emergency, contact with individuals working in the field, use of lessons learned and experience from past similar crises or disasters.

It provides an overview of the food insecurity situation in Niger.

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Government of Niger launches 2 cash transfer programmes

Niamey, 20 October 2011 - The Government of Niger today launched two major cash-based initiatives.

In response to the current food insecurity crisis in the country, the government announced a 6-month emergency cash transfer programme.

Another government led-initiative is the "Projet des filets sociaux" (social safety net project), a US $70 million initiative over 6 years.

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One of the poorest countries in the world, Niger is currently ranked last on the Human Development Index. One in every 5 children dies before they reach their 5th birthday, and nearly half of the population is under 15 years of age. The country does not grow enough food to meet the needs of its rapidly expanding population, and about one in five face extreme food insecurity even in a normal year. Over the past two decades the prevalence of chronic malnutrition in children under five has increased in Niger from 27% in 1992 to 46% in 2009. The highest rates are usually found in the southern regions (Diffa, Zinder and Maradi), but in 2010 throughout the country the prevalence of global acute malnutrition was above the critical threshold of 10%, even in the capital Niamey.

In 2010 250,000 children affected by severe acute malnutrition were admitted to therapeutic centres for direct life-saving interventions while 7 million people (half the population) suffered from food insecurity.

• The total number of families served with cash or vouchers in Niger in 2010 exceeds 165,000, or over 1 million people (7% of the population).
• Cash and voucher programming in response to the evolving crisis was made possible by sustained functioning of regional markets and commercial importation of surplus food from non-drought affected regions elsewhere in West Africa. 
• Approximately 15 different agencies used cash/ vouchers in response to the food and nutrition crisis which represents a rapid and exponential growth in cash operations.
• In 2011 it will be important to consolidate lessons learned, harmonize tools and approaches, and build local capacities to prepare, plan and manage.

There is encouraging progress in efforts to tackle inequities and reduce extreme poverty. In recent years, several actors in Niger advocated for the implementation of a national safety net to ensure minimum income for the poorest. In October 2010 the Government with the support of the World Bank launched a fairly big pilot social safety net project. There are opportunities to use such a project as leverage for promoting pro-poor livelihoods development.