Famine Disaster Peril in Niger

While the flood devastation in Pakistan has captured the world's attention, another crisis is looming--one that has placed nearly 8-million people at risk.

The United Nations says the West African nation of Niger is facing the worst hunger crisis in its history. Some humanitarian aid workers are calling this a famine. That’s because the situation is worse than the hunger crises that hit the former French colony in 2005 and 1973.

While many areas of the country are now dealing with flooding from torrential rains, several recent surveys taken in the drought stricken country indicate16.7 percent of children under the age of 5 are acutely malnourished. The UN declares a food emergency when the percentage exceeds 15 percent.

The UN's World Food Program says at least 7.3 million people are in desperate need of food--that's half the country's population. Crops have failed and livestock have died off. One aid worker reportedly said many people have been seen eating leaves and berries because they have little else available.

I talked by phone with the Director of Operation Blessing International-Niger Yacouba Seydou and asked him to explain what caring Christians and others should do for the suffering people of Niger...

Operation Blessing is stepping up its efforts. OBI has been in country helping the people of Niger--one of the poorest nations in the world--for many years.

Click here to learn more about what they're doing to demonstrate the love of Christ.