Irish aid agency Concern is preparing to expand its operations in the west African nation of Niger, where millions of people are facing severe food shortages.

The Government has pledged a further €1m in funding to the west African nation of Niger, where millions of people are facing severe food shortages.

Niger’s president played down the food crisis ravaging his desert nation, saying that people in the impoverished West African country “look well-fed”.

Ireland is poised today to provide substantial extra funding to the food crisis in Niger.