Niger

pilgif4MORE ABOUT CARE'S PROJECTS IN NIGER

PROGRES

Combating poverty

Combating the causes of extreme poverty.


CHILDREN OF THE DESERT

Ethnic minorities

Schooling for 1,800 children and evening classes for their parents.

APCAN

Food security monitoring

Strengthening the national food security monitoring system.

WELLS OF PEACE

Access to water
Establishment and local administration of vital wells.

PARDESA
Income opportunities
Strengthening capacity for survival through savings and loans groups, livestock keeping and the establishment of cereal banks. 
Poor governance, extended droughts and weak civil society are all contributory factors in Niger's status as one of the poorest countries in the world. Niger gained its independence from France in 1960, but democracy has since then often been under pressure. In the fall of 2009, the country experienced another political crisis when the president changed the constitution to stay in power through an illegal referendum, but in 2010 he was ejected by a military coup.
Niger is plagued by recurring droughts. Every year 65 percent of the population living below the official poverty line suffers a so-called hunger gap - a period of 2-4 months where they don't have sufficient food to cover their basic needs. The last great famine was in 2005, where 3 million people where affected, but in 2010 more than 7 million people were starving during the hunger gap.

 

CARE Danmark in Niger

Long periods of undemocratic rule have put pressure on civil society, which is both young and very weak in Niger. CARE works with local organisations to promote women's and ethnic minorities' rights and improve their living conditions. Both through investments in infra structure, such as cereal banks, wells and schools, but also through human rights awareness-raising and seeking influence on the legislation and social practices that lead to oppression and marginalization. Through this work, local organizations capacity to continue the work in the long term is ensured.

 

For more information, see the country fact sheet or contact Programme Coordinator Denne emailadresse er beskyttet mod programmer som samler emailadresser. Du skal aktivere javascript for at kunne se adressen. .