With causes ranging from policy failures to marginal help from development agencies, The Economist argues in a July 7, 2012 article that even inadequate irrigation in the region can be overcome through long-term planning: Read more: Full URL: http://www.economist.com/node/21558315
A recent story from the Washington Post highlights how the current food crisis leads to more child marriages in Niger, where the rate of child marriage is already the highest in the world. From the author, Sudarsan Raghavan: Niger has the world's highest rate of child marriage, with roughly one out of two girls marrying before age 15, some as young as 7. As a hunger crisis affects millions here and across the Sahel region of West Africa, aid...
We are all concerned about the growing food crisis in Niger, and MercyCorps is ramping up their efforts not only to raise awareness of this dire situation, but to provide direct assistance that is greatly needed in the Sahel. Some featured articles include: Cassandra Nelson's latest blog entry describes the impact the hunger crisis is having on children. Full URL: http://www.mercycorps.org/cassandranelson/blog/26626 In this video Nelson...
Music with a message of peace. On April 5th, 300 people, along with the Ambassadors of Niger and Gabon, danced, clapped and cheered for Tuareg sensation Bombino at The Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH to support RAIN's programs in Niger. Bombino at The Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH At the reception before the performance, Portsmouth Mayor Eric Spears was on hand to deliver to Bombino and the Ambassadors a special welcome and to proclaim April 5, 2012...
In January of 2011 we informed you that Boston University had suspended its program in Niger. We just learned that Boston University has made the decision to definitively close its long-standing International Development Study Abroad program in Niger. The January 2011 announcement: http://www.bu.edu/abroad/2011/01/11/niger-program-announcement/ For more information about Boston University's Study Abroad programs, please contact the university...
During this year of the 50th Anniversary of Peace Corps the Board of Friends of Niger would like to encourage Friends of Niger members to distribute copies of the DVD of Brother from Niger, which follows former Friends of Nigerpresident Jim Schneider in 2002 as he returns to Niger, a country he once called home, a country that is still as poor as when he left it in 1966. In a 'Brother from Niger', award-winning journalist Andrew Younger...
Due to recent security concerns in Niger, the Peace Corps program has been suspended until further notice. All 96 Peace Corps volunteers in Niger are safe and accounted for. This notice from the Peace Corps web site has some more details. Full URL: http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.media.press.view&news_id=1691 With similar concerns, Boston University has also suspended their Study Abroad program in Niger. It is not...
Policy changes are paying off for the environment. This is a note originally sent by Jamie Thomson to the Niger III group. It is reproduced here to spread the good news about what's happening in the struggle against desertification in Niger. It's a slightly long but very inspiring read. It is nice to know that, as a result of a policy change, a reform of the forestry code that was in force in the mid-60s in Niger, which removed the institutional...
This year, as many as 7.8 million people - more than half of Niger's total population - face the grim prospect of months without sufficient food. Sporadic rains during the last growing season have had a devastating effect on harvests and food supplies, leaving households with little to save for the long "hungry season" between harvests. There are already widespread reports of families - particularly women and children - skipping meals and having...
Celebrate the 49th anniversary of the Peace Corps This year join the Peace Corps community nationwide and celebrate the Peace Corps' 49th anniversary with a third goal activity! Honor Volunteers of past and present and your host countries by bringing the world home. You can do this through a variety of ways such as organizing a cultural event, presenting an exhibit of photographs or crafts, or visiting a classroom. Don't forget to register your...