[ Moctar's Story]

Seven-month-old Moctar is making his first visit to the Dar es Salaam clinic in Niamey, Niger's bustling capital and largest city. His parents moved here from their rural village when the crops withered and work dried up. Unfortunately, life for the family in Niamey has been just as hard.

Moctar's mother, Fati, is one of thousands of young mothers seeking advice on health and nutrition at local clinics supported by Mercy Corps. Our support helps protect children like Moctar from the constant peril that is Niger's cycle of hunger.

The nurse checks the baby, then reports: "He weighs 5.2 kilograms [about 11 pounds]. For his age and height, it means that he's moderately malnourished."

Fati listens attentively as the nurse instructs her: what food to give Moctar, how often to feed him, when to bring him back to the clinic. Fati nods in thoughtful acknowledgement of each piece of advice.

Mercy Corps is meeting the needs of more than 40,000 children across Niger, including Moctar. And that's one fewer thing mothers like Fati will have to worry about.