Editing Geography of Niger (section)

====Natural hazards====
{{Main|Sahel drought}}
[[File:Sahel Map-Africa rough.png|thumb|The [[Sahel]] region is a belt up to 1,000&nbsp;km wide that spans Africa from the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the [[Red Sea]]]]

Recurring [[drought]]s are a serious challenge for Niger.<ref>{{cite web|title=Learning the Lessons?|url=https://www.oxfam.org/sites/www.oxfam.org/files/bp168-learning-the-lessons-sahel-food-crisis-160413-en_1.pdf|publisher=Oxfam|access-date=20 April 2015|date=16 April 2013|archive-date=25 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825224947/http://www.oxfam.org/sites/www.oxfam.org/files/bp168-learning-the-lessons-sahel-food-crisis-160413-en_1.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[2012 Sahel drought]], along with failed crops, insect plagues, high [[food prices]] and conflicts is currently affecting Niger causing a hunger crisis.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.trust.org/item/?map=coming-weeks-critical-to-tackle-sahel-hunger-un-humanitarian-chief | title=Coming weeks critical to tackle Sahel hunger ? U.N. humanitarian chief | publisher=trust.cm | date=24 May 2012 | access-date=27 April 2013 | author=Fominyen, George | archive-date=20 June 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620004150/http://www.trust.org/item/?map=coming-weeks-critical-to-tackle-sahel-hunger-un-humanitarian-chief | url-status=dead }}</ref> Many families in Niger, still recovering from the [[2010 Sahel famine]], are being affected by the 2012 Sahel drought.<ref name="West African food crisis 2012">{{cite web | url=http://www.trust.org/spotlight/West-African-food-crisis-2012/ | title=West African food crisis 2012 | publisher=trust.com | date=22 January 2013 | access-date=27 April 2013 | archive-date=20 June 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620004604/http://www.trust.org/spotlight/West-African-food-crisis-2012/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>

The [[2005–06 Niger food crisis]] created a severe, but localized [[food security]] crisis in the regions of northern [[Maradi Region|Maradi]], [[Tahoua (department)|Tahoua]], [[Tillabéri]], and [[Zinder]] of [[Niger]] from 2005 to 2006. It was caused by an early end to the 2004 rains, [[desert locust]] damage to some pasture lands, high food prices, and [[chronic poverty]].