Niger Suffers Famine

DAKORO, NIGER - AUGUST 08: Villager tend to their meager crop of millet as a storm approaches on August 8, 2005 near Dakoro, Niger. Care International distributed 50 kg bags of millet to each family in the village. The ration of millet should last a family of five for 15 days. The villages store of extra millet was used up months ago when the famine began. The current crop is due in 6 weeks and the villagers need continued rain for the next six weeks for that harvest to be sufficient. A food crisis is threatening the lives of thousands in the impoverished West African nation. A combination of sever drought and a locust plague has caused the famine which has affected at least 2 million people in Niger and approximatly 5 million in the region. Niger is the second poorest country in the world, with 64 percent of the 12 millions inhabitants surviving on less than US$1 (81 euro cents) day. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)