260. Concerning preventive actions and management of food crises and disasters, the support plan is the key planning tool used to provide responses in the area of assisting the vulnerable sections of the population based on analyses by the different entities under the National Food Crisis and Food Disaster Prevention and Management Mechanism (DNPGCA). As at 30 September 2019, the achievements centred on planning activities and implementing these activities before the lean season. They consist of the following: - Formulation and validation of the 2019 Support Plan with a budget of 156 167 814 906 CFA francs. It is broken down into 33 activities and 6 major outcomes; - Continuation of activities before the lean season: Cash Transfer Pilot Project, Adaptive Social Safety Nets, Reintegration Project of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Nigerien Returnees from Mali and Côte d’Ivoire, girls’ education project; - Reconstitution of the National Buffer Stock (SNS) by means of local purchases and open tendering processes; - Planning and implementation of the Sale of Cereals at Moderate Prices; - Planning and implementation of Free Distribution of Cereals; - Support in the form of seedlings and cattle feed supplies. 261. As part of the institutional purchases over a period of three (3) years, the government has initiated direct purchases from producers. In 2019, the total planned stock, i.e. 17 600 tonnes of cereals was purchased. The other stocks (reconstitution of the national buffer stock and the Strategic Food Reserve) were purchased through open tendering processes. Thus, in 2019, 30 015 tonnes of cereals and 2 500 tonnes of cowpea were distributed in three phases as far as cereals are concerned at a rate of 10 005 for each phase; the cowpea was distributed during the third phase. The number of beneficiaries of the operation for this year stood at 700 350 vulnerable persons, i.e. 100 050 households in 191 communes. This programme was reinforced with the distribution of fortified flour for children between 6 and 23 months among the beneficiary households of the DGC. In this regard, 54 tonnes were distributed to 5 908 children. 262. The sales programme of cereals at moderate prices which started in March 2019 and was spread over 7 phases involving a total of 71, 429 tonnes. The seven (7) phases were carried out on the ground. During the distribution of the 6th and 7th phases, the stocks were regulated by taking into consideration the quantity produced during the crop year and the prices on the local market. Regarding the sale of sugar at moderate prices during the Ramadan season, 2 600 tonnes were mobilized by the OPVN and put on sale in May 2019. 263. Concerning the support provided in this respect by the Food Crisis Unit, 5 000 tonnes were bought and distributed in the targeted localities that were confronted with shortage of fodder. In view of the late deployment of these stocks, the latter will be used in 2020. Out of the projected 1 000 tonnes of seeds, 890 tonnes were acquired and delivered to the priority localities; the bids for 110 tonnes were unsuccessful; due to the delay, a large proportion of the seeds has been stocked for the next crop season. All these operations benefitted 116 000 households, i.e. a little more than 800 000 persons. 264. Concerning the handling of the malnutrition aspect up to September 2019, the situation is as follows: 222 437 children from 0 to 5 years suffering from severe acute malnutrition, i.e. 58.5% of 59