International aid agencies are warning of an acute humanitarian crisis in the west African state of Niger if aid does not reach the country soon.
Up to 3 million people, including 800,000 children, are thought to be facing famine.
The Irish aid agency, Concern, says its first charter of relief goods arrived in the country yesterday, but a huge amount of aid is still needed.
Another Irish aid agency, GOAL, says it is sending an assessment team to the region today.
Niger is land-locked and much of its territory is made up of the Saraha desert.
The west African state is classified as the second poorest country in the world.
