Data Modelling: Malnutrition in Niger Part 1

DATA MODELLING
STUDENT

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DATA MODELLING
MALNUTRITION IN NIGER
PART – 1
ABSTRACT
Peter has been associated with United Nations Volunteer Programme (UNVP) as
a Trainee Doctor, for more than two years. In a recent study he learnt about the
appalling conditions of hunger and malnutrition prevailing in Niger, a small country of
20 million people. He discussed the issue with his colleagues and soon they had 8
volunteer enrollments for their “Save Niger” programme. This report, in two parts, has
been prepared by Peter to highlight the plight of Niger’s children and women and is
intended to be circulated by the team for collecting donations. This report outlines their
efforts, mediums of fund collection and their physical contribution by being present
among the affected population of Tamou, a city close to capital city of Niamey in
southern Niger.
THE SITUATION
Niger is surrounded by Nigeria in the South, Chad in the East, Mali and Algeria
in the West and Libya in the North. Being land-locked in the Sahel region, this country
is facing acute food deficit, (Blaha, 2010). Hausa, the largest ethnic group in Niger, with
a population of 600,000, is the most affected society in the southern part of Niger.
Along with Hausa, Zarma Songhay, comprising of 370,000 people is the other ethnic
society, which inhabits the western parts of Niger bordering Mali. These two ethnic
groups comprise of sedentary farmers who have been inhabiting the arable tier of Niger
for centuries, (Blaha, 2010).
Niger’s 18 million population is growing at 4% every year and this is one of the
highest rate of growth in the world. In 2017, close to 1.5 million population of Niger
faced food insecurity, along with another 1.5 million who were facing chronical food
shortage and millions other were experiencing shortage during lean seasons. Inadequate

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agriculture produce and high demographic growth in Niger has been responsible for
depriving over 20% of the population in getting their food. In times of poor rainfall, the
figure rises to more than 30% (Hoberman, Burbank & Bradley, 2009).
Niger has a short rainy season and it is continually hit by an irregular rainfall,
the rising temperatures and increased desertification. Since 2000, Niger has had four
severe food and nutrition crises, caused by climate related changes and these have
exacerbated vulnerability to food insecurity in Niger, (Woerther et al., 2011). Combined
with the epidemics and rising conflicts in the neighbouring countries has also
aggravated the situation. Niger has been sheltering chronically malnourished people
from the conflict affected northern Nigeria in the Lake Chad Basin area, (Fabienne et
al., 2010). Niger’s economy is not in a position to support such large influx of refugees
as this affects the already inadequate social safety nets for the large vulnerable
population of Niger. Moreover, the Government has limited economic ability for
controlling hunger because of its restrained financial capacity and logistical constraints,
(Page et al., 2013).
In a country, which has an entrenched trait of gender inequality in its social
fibre, insecurity of food availability affects women to a large extent, especially in the
rural areas. 42% of Niger’s children, who are under 5 years of age, are suffering from
chronic malnutrition and more than 10% are acutely malnourished, (Simsion & Witt,
2004). Since lack of diet affects availability of essential vitamins and minerals, over
73% of these children under 5 and over 46% of women in the reproductive age, have
acute anaemic conditions.
THE CONSTRAINTS
In Niger, as per studies, there is urgent need for adopting measures which can fight
malnutrition among children and women. Peter’s team has identified four major factors
which would require their constant and consistent attention, (Silverston, 2011).
(A) Nutrition
Their long-term resilient plan for Niger’s nutrition eradication will involve a very
comprehensive, yet a community-based lifecycle approach. They intend not only to
focus on children below 2 years of age, but also adolescent girls and pregnant women.
Within this framework, their efforts will also include support treatment of moderate