Niger malnutrition crisis spreading

Months of warnings have failed to prevent a serious malnutrition crisis in Niger, Save the Children has said. The charity says more than six million people are affected there, and about 18 million across West Africa. It says a rising number of children now need medical treatment for the condition, as the crisis is reaching a new level of seriousness. Save the Children's warning comes as this weekend's G8 meeting is expected to discuss food security, BBC news has reported. The charity says it is now moving to an emergency response. Alarm bells have been ringing about Niger - with its record of severe food crises - since late last year after erratic rainfall threatened crop shortages and food prices also soared, according to the BBC. Overall, 25% of the world's children are suffering from chronic malnutrition - over and above the current food emergencies in Africa, Save the Children says. It has expressed its concern that G8 leaders will shy away from making bold commitments to ensure not only that children have enough to eat, but also the right kind of food and nutrition. Save the Children Fund is an internationally active non-governmental organization that promotes children's rights, provides relief and helps support children in developing countries. It was established in the United Kingdom in 1919 in order to improve the lives of children through better education, health care, and economic opportunities, as well as providing emergency aid in natural disasters, war, and other conflicts.