Niger

Concern has continued to focus on education, health and improving access to food for the most vulnerable communities in Niger.

Key Facts

• Capital: Niamey
• Population: 13.3 million
• Life expectancy: 58.8 years
• Literacy rate: 28.7%

Teacher training

Working with the Ministry of Education, we recently trained 955 teachers on the curriculum and child rights.

We also helped 192 school committees to develop their management skills. For instance, we have highlighted the importance of holding teachers and directors to account for absences. We also provided training in school management for 422 school directors.

Dealing with malnutrition

We continued to work with the Ministry of Health to develop a sustainable system to prevent and treat acute malnutrition. This will integrate into state and civic health structures. Outpatient therapeutic activities have now been incorporated into 12 health centres.   

Training birth attendants

We trained 668 traditional birth attendants in infant and young child feeding practices. They were also trained in identifying when a child is malnourished and in how to refer children for treatment.

We distributed visual aids to 1,740 volunteers, birth attendants and health committee members, to help raise awareness of child malnutrition. 

Food production

Improved seed has been provided to 2,202 households, while 425 women also received three goats each. Some of the women were trained to support their peers in animal feeding, hygiene, medical care and financial management. We also helped 200 people develop vegetable gardens for offseason gardening and built four cereal banks.