Niger is now facing the worst hunger crisis in its history, the UN's World Food Programme has said, with almost half the population - or 7. 3 million people - in desperate need of food.

A WFP spokesman said villagers in Niger described the situation as worse than 2005, when thousands died of hunger.

After a prolonged drought, heavy rains have now hit parts of the country, killing at least six people.

The WFP says 17% of children, or one in five, are acutely malnourished.

The figure - based on national surveys in May and June - is well above the WFP's normal 15% threshold for declaring an emergency. 

It is appealing for $213m (£136m) in aid, but is still 40% short of its target, a spokesman said.

This is very sad for the country, is their measures put in place by the Government to curb this apart from the outside aid they are seeking for?

The Support provided for the people of this country is not enough to eradicate the level of poverty is a very big pain to the citizens

Judging by the News I know there is support provided externally, what I didn't see is what the Niger government is doing to curb this malady.

...I mean Internally.

ok