Fighting hunger in Niger: breakthroughs and lessons
Commissioner Andris Piebalgs has taken part in a high-level discussion on leading the fight against hunger and malnutrition in Niger. This is one of the countries with the highest food insecurity and malnutrition rates, especially among children.
The event on The 3N Initiative "Nigeriens Nourish Nigeriens" looked at the political mechanisms which can help link vulnerable communities to support from the local authorities and relief organisations.
The list of participants included the President of Niger Mahamadou Issoufou, MEP Louis Michel, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Kristalina Georgieva and representatives from the 3N Initiative, the World Food Programme and UNICEF.
Commissioner Piebalgs recognized Nigeriens efforts in addressing the problem and highlighted the EU’s commitment to further partnership: "As the EU-Africa summit draws to a close, one of the main messages to have come out of it was the need to provide African solutions to African problems. The ''Nigeriens Nourish Nigeriens' is a perfect demonstration of this idea in practice – a Nigerien solution to resolve the problem of food and nutrition insecurity, which affects the country so badly. Here in the EU we are delighted to give this initiative our full support; and welcome the leadership and innovation that Niger has shown in tackling this issue on its own doorstep."
Joint article 'EU, World Food Programme and UNICEF address issue of malnutrition in Niger during EU-Africa Summit side event': http://www.unicef.org/eu/files/Joint_Article_WFP-UNICEF-_3_April_2014_-_3N_event.pdf 
Poster: http://issuu.com/evin.joyce.wfp/docs/poster_for_3n_event__final_en
ECHO Factsheet on Niger: http://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/aid/countries/factsheets/niger_en.pdf
