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Niger

Long months of hunger between meager harvests hold Niger's families in a brutal grip. Mercy Corps is helping them break free.

Photo: Thatcher Cook for Mercy Corps

In Niger, one-fifth of the population is at risk for chronic malnutrition caused by cycles of famine. Children, already the most vulnerable group, are hardest hit. Mercy Corps is helping determined Nigeriens build locally sustainable health and nutrition networks so that communities can better cope with food crisis. We have supported 130 clinics where mothers bring their undernourished children — in one of the most dire cases, a three-year-old weighing just 15 pounds — for intensive feeding regimens and lifesaving advice.

Special Report: The Cycle of Hunger ›

Mercy Corps is working to help determined Nigeriens build locally sustainable, resilient health and nutrition networks so that communities can cope with crisis - and mothers can provide a healthier future for their young children.

Devastating Floods Sweep Niger ›

Topics: Emergencies

Mercy Corps is sending an emergency response team to meet the critical needs of families in areas of Niger affected by recent torrential rain and catastrophic flooding.

Shipping Medicines to Niger ›

Topics: Health

What can one shipment of donated medicines do? How about treat 20,000 mothers and children in Niger suffering from common maternal and childhood illnesses.

Blog Post: Climate change and Niger ›

Topics: Urban, Rural, Migrants, Hunger, Food/Nutrition, Emergencies, Climate Change, Agriculture

Global warming is not only causing already-meager water supplies in Niger to dry up — it's also driving young men from drought-stricken rural areas in search of work to provide for their families.

Video: Fighting Malnutrition ›

Topics: Food/Nutrition

In Niger, an estimated 10% of children under five are considered malnourished.

Q&A with Christy Collins ›

Topics: Hunger, Health, Emergencies

Mercy Corps' country director answers questions and makes observations on life and work in Niger.

Fati: Taking Action for Her Son ›

Topics: Children, Health, Hunger

Despite uncertainty, Fati Issia is determined that her young son Moctar will have a healthy start.

Boubacar: A Nurse's Helping Hands ›

Topics: Hunger, Health, Emergencies

Life is hard in Sanam, Niger; Boubacar Harouna knows that better than most.

Three Wails ›

Topics: Hunger, Health, Emergencies

Two visitors experienced the fragility of life in Niger firsthand in the desert-fringed town of Sanam.

Niger's Faces of Need ›

Topics: Hunger, Health, Emergencies

Mercy Corps' John Hanson reports on the precariousness of life for families braving a persistent food crisis.

Niger Facts

  • Population (2008): 13.3 million
  • Size: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
  • Human Development Index rank: 174 (out of 179)
  • Mercy Corps has worked here since 2005
  • Primary work: Health, nutrition, good governance, youth empowerment
  • Population living on $1 a day or less: 56%
  • Number of communities where we've assisted with health and nutrition programs: 130
  • Number of malnourished children treated: more than 45,000

Program Details

Since 2005, Mercy Corps has worked with local and regional authorities in more then 130 communities to promote health and nutrition.

Read more ›

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