Aid agencies report improvement on the ground in Niger

Aid agencies are reporting an improvement in the situation on the ground in Niger, where millions of people are facing severe food shortages.

Food aid is beginning to reach parts of the west African country and charities are growing increasingly confident of averting a major famine.

Speaking from Niger today, Concern spokesperson Brid Kennedy said the arrival of food supplies was a major boost to aid efforts.

"The situation is changing for the better," she said. "There has been a lot more food committed to Niger and more and more food is coming in.

"For Concern, we had ordered food through the World Food Programme and 720 tonnes as we speak has been delivered and the final truckloads are arriving and being unloaded in Tahoua where we work."