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As one of the worst possible natural calamities in world history, Niger 2005 food crisis proved ruinous to the nation, claiming human lives in uncountable and incredible numbers. However, the deadly Niger 2005 food crisis restricted itself to places like Tahoua, Tillaberi, northern Maradi and Zinder, where the death tolls reported were the maximum.
Natural disaster was solely responsible for the 2005 food crisis in Niger. The abrupt and early termination of rainfall on Niger mainland in 2004 left the soils waterless and arid. Cultivation which was then in full process on the pasture lands were all destroyed, following the attack of desert locusts. As a result, the prices of food items increased enormously. This made it almost impossible for the poverty-stricken population of the land to available food ingredients at such soaring prices. The situation reached an alarming state when 2.4 millions out of a total population of 3.6 became exposed to severe food crisis. The farmers and the livestock breeders were the worst affected among the lot, with neither food nor money to buy food, owing to death of animals and total destruction of crops.
Malnutrition increased million fold and affected the infant population of the country during this period, ultimately culminating in the outbreak of the 2005-2006 famine in Niger. With mass death occurring due to the famine, the situation was finally taken over by international organizations like United Nations. Both material and financial aids coming from the UN led to gradual control over the situation and things became normal in due course of time.
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