In Niger, the third severe food crisis in less than 10 years has forced many people to leave their villages in search of food.

Harvests have failed and up to 18 million people across West Africa are now facing severe food shortages.

Africa correspondent Ginny Stein has travelled to Niger where she has looks the different aspects of the unfolding crisis:

'Miracle Tree' offers hope

A plant normally used for weight loss western nations is being used to fend off starvation in a drought-prone region of Niger.

Sorry, this video has expired 'Miracle Tree' helps fight starvation in Niger ( Ginny Stein )

Desperate dig for gold

Sorry, this video has expired Desperate farmers turn to dangerous gold mining ( Ginny Stein )

As the food crisis deepens thousands of poor farmers are risking their lives in a desperate and often deadly search for gold.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Listen Duration: 3 minutes 25 seconds 3 m 25 s Niger's desperate dig for gold ( Ginny Stein ) Download 1.6 MB

"When you're absolutely desperate and you are going to watch your children die, you risk your life. This is why they are here mining. It is really devastating."

World Vision CEO Tim Costello

Mali exodus

Fighting in neighbouring Mali has driven hundreds of thousands of refugees across the border into Niger, further overwhelming already stretched resources.

Sorry, this video has expired Niger harbours desperate Mali asylum seekers ( Ginny Stein )

Seeds of hope

A project to reforest areas of drought in Niger is helping to buck the trend of food shortages.

Sorry, this video has expired Reforestation project adds hope to food crisis ( Ginny Stein )

Small success

Aid agencies say they are seeing signs of success in efforts to stave off a famine in parts of West Africa.