Niger 2: Living on the Edge of Survival

<BODY> <h2>Niger 2: Living on the Edge of Survival</h2><br> <I>"Recommended. This documentary presents a general overview of current conditions in this former French colony in West Africa. Shrinking Lake Chad in the southeast and the desert encroaching from the north have weakened the already high stress patterns of annual planting, harvest, and drought. One of the lowest literacy rates in the world leads to one of the highest birth rates, as women have low status and almost no options. Interviews with a range of articulate local guides, aid workers, and development experts point out the lack of interest, even ignorance, of this country's crisis by the rest of the world. Still, there is an upbeat ending provided by a local official, who touts the country's large animal reserve, with the last giraffe herd in West Africa, and suggests that tourism is a viable economic trend for the future."</I> -EMRO Review<BR> Niger is a landlocked country in West Africa, which constantly struggles with the problems of overpopulation and food shortages. One of the poorest countries in the world, Niger is often the focus of controversy as to how world organizations handle food crises. In this program, independent filmmaker <B>Daniel Balluff</B> enlists the aid of local guides, including Moussa Hima, Amadou Windi and Illiannou Loko, to present an eye-opening look at this fascinating African republic, while objectively examining the reasons for cyclical food shortage and exploring potential solutions proposed by development and relief experts, such as <B>John Roche, Karl Erdmann</B> and <B>Issifou Montari</B>, living in Niger. Produced by Daniel Balluff. 08DR<br> <B>Level 1</B> - JSCA 30 min.<br> <B>Level 2</B> - CA TV Version - 52 min.; Full Version - 63 min.<br> <B>Associated Program:</B> <a href= "../ttlmnp4789-.cfm"target="MAINBODY"><I>Niger 1: Exploring Niger</I></a> <A HREF="index.htm" target=_top>Home</a><br> </BODY>