WFP Logistics

Overview
Niger is a vast, arid state on the edge of the Sahara desert. Its economy is dominated by subsistence agriculture, herding and informal economic activities. This makes it vulnerable to natural disasters that in turn pose challenges for logistics operations.

Team
The WFP Logistics team in Niger numbers approximately 28 staff across five offices and includes UNHAS staff.

Activities
Port operations
Niger Country Office uses mainly the Cotonou corridor to supply food aid into the country due to its proximity with Benin and better customs clearance facilities given to humanitarian agencies at the port of Cotonou. In case of emergency, Niger calls the port of Lomé as a secondary corridor. The road conditions of these corridors are fairly good with no security threats. But the frequent congestion of the port of Cotonou remains the main challenge for the Country office logistics operation.

Storage
A total storage capacity of about 19,650 tons is being used by WFP in various regions across the country. Warehouses are either government owned, rented from private businessmen or government organization (OPVN), but some of the facilities were built by WFP and turned over to the government. The government manages all warehouses. WFP trains staff, provides warehouse materials/equipments, and technical support.

Surface Transport
Secondary transport from WFP EDPs to the FDPs is mainly carried out by commercial transporters hired by WFP. Over 20 truckers, with a total capacity of 3,950 tons (133 trucks), are yearly short-listed by WFP for food transportation. WFP owns and operates a fleet of 4 trucks (One Mercedes Benz of 20 tons capacity, and three DAFs of 10 tons capacity each) used for secondary transport as well.
Secondary transport remains a challenge for the Country Office logistics operation because of rough conditions of roads between EDPs and FDPs, and bad mechanical conditions of commercial trucks (25 years old on average). During the rain season, some of the roads are not accessible even by small trucks of 5 to 7 tons.

Rail
WFP does not use rail transport in Niger

Aviation
To address the need for safe, efficient and sufficient air transport between Niamey and the main regional capital cities (Tahoua, Maradi, Zinder and Agadez), WFP chartered an 18-seater Beechcraft plane under a UNHAS operation since March 2008. However, due to lack of resources, the operation was suspended at the end of February 2009. UNHAS Operations have resumed on 1st August 2009.

Other WFP Logistics services
Despite the challenges and constraints, WFP provides from time to time secondary transport services to UNICEF (education kit).