Islamic Relief - Emergencies And Appeals

West Africa Appeal

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IR Response

I don’t know how to tell my children there’s no food
21 March 2012

Gambi with her son

Kadi Halidou, 40, is a widow who lives in Simiri in the Oullam district of Niger with her six children. Oullam has been hit extremely hard by the drought and food shortages over the last few months. Kadi explained, “Every year we suffer from a poor rainfall and then food shortages which affect almost everyone because our lands are unable to grow anything. Before the cyclical crises started, life was better; our situation was good and everything was different.

There was plenty of food and water for everyone and it used to be more affordable. Even before this current food crisis we didn’t have enough food. But we had animals and used them as a source of income. Now I feel weak. When my children ask for food I don’t know how to explain to them that there is none.I feel bitter because I lost my husband who was the breadwinner in our family, and now we are suffering again through this food crisis. Everyone in the community is in the same situation, but we are bound by our unity to help one another during difficult times.”

Islamic Relief is providing Kadi and her family with enough cereal for three months. “With Islamic Relief’s support, we have enough food to get us through this season’s food shortage. But we don’t just suffer from food insecurity, we face poverty, and no means of growing our crops back. We want a full support programme so we can deal with the underlying challenges our community faces. What we need is a farming support programme and a method to lighten our domestic workload.

Islamic Relief has already made a difference with this distribution programme. Without it, people would have had to leave the village, which would have been much worse.” Over the coming months, Islamic Relief will be offering employment, sustainable farming opportunities, a cereal bank and livestock to vulnerable communities like Kadi’s so that they will be able to become self-sufficient again, depending on agricultural alternatives for food security.

Kadi explained that she wants to work so that her children can have a better life. “My wish is to see them graduate, get good jobs and earn a living. I don’t want them to live like I did. I thank everyone who has assisted us and pray that God blesses and protects them. But we still need more to be able to make it through the lean period.”