Concern worker Hashimou Abdouram with Haoua Saadou (31) in the community home garden. (Photo: Ed Ram/Concern Worldwide)

Niger

Why Niger? Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, with 52% of its population living on less than $2.15 a day. The situation has been exacerbated by social and political tensions following a coup d’état in July 2023, which in turn has led to rising inflation rates, power outages, and increased food insecurity.

A fatal combination of insecurity, violence, climate change, and hunger

Niger has faced several challenges over the last decade. The 2023 coup d’état came after a series of coups in neighbouring countries, prompted by a rise in attacks across the region by non-state armed groups and declining economic prospects. This has led to over 13 million Nigeriens living in poverty.

Between chronic vulnerability and armed conflicts, more than 2.9 million people in Niger are currently in need of humanitarian assistance. Many of these people are also displaced due to conflict, including over 335,000 internally-displaced Nigeriens and 305,000 refugees from the region.

Healthcare

On the basis of its success, Concern’s Surge Approach to managing health and nutrition in Niger was incorporated into the country’s National Malnutrition Management Protocol in 2023.

Disaster risk reduction

Education

This home garden in Sarkake Village started as a project to grow food and provide for the most vulnerable in the village. Since then, the project has gone beyond the basic needs of the people of the area. Photo: Ed Ram/Concern Worldwide

Nafissa Aboubacar (27) with her baby son Soufiane Kassoum (17 months old) and her eldest son Ishak (10) at their home in Tahoua. Photo: Ed Ram/Concern Worldwide

Aicha Amadou (24) with her baby Siyama Abdoul Malik (9 months). Aicha brought Siyama to a Concern health centre and discovered then that the baby was malnourished. Siyama was treated at the centre and has improved. (Photo: Ed Ram/Concern Worldwide)

Aicha brought Siyama to a Concern health centre and discovered then that the baby was malnourished. Siyama was treated at the centre and has improved. Photo: Ed Ram/Concern Worldwide

Residents of Zardana Satourou and member of the CVD (Village Development Committee) of the market gardening committee. Photo: Apsatou Bagaya/Concern Worldwide

Mother-of-four Hadiza Ibrahima and her 12-month-old daughter Nana, who has been on the Concern-supported nutrition programme for severe acute malnutrition for the past two months. (Photo: Darren Vaughan/Concern Worldwide Worldwide Worldwide)

Hadiza Ibrahima and her daughter Nana, who has been on the Concern-supported nutrition programme for severe acute malnutrition for the past two months. Photo: Darren Vaughan/Concern Worldwide Worldwide Worldwide

This École des Maris, or “school for husbands”, was set up so men can understand some of the problems affecting women and children and foster equality in the home. Photo: Apsatou Bagaya/Concern Worldwide

Mahamadou Assoumane, (wearing purple) is an Educational councillor in Bambaye. In Niger, Concern has developed an innovative video coaching approach to improve teaching practices and teacher training, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. (Photo: Apsatou Bagaya/Concern Worldwide)

In Niger, Concern has developed an innovative video coaching approach to improve teaching practices and teacher training, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. Photo: Apsatou Bagaya/Concern Worldwide

Concern's Early-Child Development Officer Mahamadou Boubakar helps healthcare staff at the Concern-supported intensive nutritional recovery centre at Tahoua Hospital carry out an initial assessment of 13-month-old Nana-Aicha. Photo: Darren Vaughan/Concern Worldwide