Niger is a highly climate-vulnerable country, with recurrent and severe droughts posing significant risks to livelihoods and food security, as 80% of the population relies on rainfed agriculture and pastoral systems. To address these challenges, the World Food Programme (WFP) has been implementing Food Assistance for Assets (FFA) activities as part of its broader resilience programme in Niger. These interventions aim to strengthen local adaptive capacity while reducing future humanitarian assistance needs. Key measures focus on sustainable land and water management practices, including soil restoration and water retention techniques such as half-moons, Zaïs, stone bunds, trenches, banquettes, and dune fixation, which enhance agricultural productivity and improve ecosystem resilience under drought conditions.

To support evidence-based decision-making, the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) conducted a drought risk assessment and an evaluation of selected drought adaptation measures implemented under the WFP’s resilience portfolio. The primary objective of the analysis was to assess how investments in soil restoration and water management can reduce future humanitarian needs while strengthening long-term resilience in the context of climate change. The analysis applied the Economics of Climate Adaptation (ECA) methodology in combination with the CLIMADA modeling tool to quantitatively assess drought risk, its impacts on food security, and the effectiveness of selected adaptation measures. The results evaluated the adaptation measures, examining their costs, benefits, and impacts on different assets to determine the most effective interventions for building drought resilience.

This assessment is particularly important for Niger, where drought-related losses in 2024 already exceeded USD 1.4 billion annually and are projected to rise sharply by 2055. The project provides policymakers, development partners, and donors with evidence-based guidance on where to invest for maximum impact. The results demonstrate that implementing a portfolio of adaptation measures can significantly reduce drought-induced losses. For instance, with an estimated investment of USD 3.8 billion, up to USD 9.7 billion in future humanitarian response costs could be avoided. Further, the implementation and maintenance of selected adaptation measures can significantly reduce the food security risk from drought for nearly three million people during drought years. By strengthening natural resource management and local capacities, the project aims to build evidence for investments into climate resilience and food security in Niger.