Niger
In Niger, HI promotes the inclusion of children and adults with disabilities and supports people impacted by crises, particularly communities living in cross-border areas affected by armed conflict.
Malika, ten years old, lives in Maradi, Niger. She has a visually disability: thanks to the support of HI, she is now in second grade. | © J. Labeur / HI
Our actions
HI strengthens the resilience and social cohesion of populations in need in cross-border regions by developing community-led projects and organizing distributions of essential goods and shelter to meet the basic needs of people affected by violence or climate-related disasters. The organization also provides financial support to the most affected households, helps them secure their livelihoods, and supports local stakeholders in developing inclusive healthcare and protection services. HI also organizes educational sessions on the risks associated with explosive devices, as well as training within communities to prevent accidents in regions heavily affected by armed conflict.
In response to the high prevalence of malnutrition – caused in particular by disasters and conflicts – HI supports children suffering from severe acute malnutrition and their families. The organization runs support groups and offers stimulation therapy sessions for young children. The organization sets up welcoming, appropriate reception areas and trains health workers to recognize the signs of malnutrition. HI also supports severely affected households through food aid distributions and runs awareness-raising campaigns to promote safe food practices, reducing health risks. HI works with health authorities to establish a nationally adapted health protocol to ensure malnourished children receive appropriate care.
Niger has one of the youngest populations in the world, yet school enrolment rates remain very low, particularly among children with disabilities. Through its inclusive education project, HI helps children with disabilities to enroll in and remain in primary education. The organization improves training for teachers, school counselors, and parents’ associations; strengthens their skills; identifies and monitors children with disabilities; and raises awareness in communities about disability issues. The organization works to make buildings more accessible, thereby ensuring the right to education for all children.
HI works with various civil society organizations and humanitarian actors to ensure that the specific needs of people with disabilities and the most affected are taken into account. To this end, the organization conducts studies on existing barriers, raises awareness among associations and communities, and strengthens the inclusive dimension of humanitarian aid programs.
- Number of HI staff: 57 people
- People directly supported by HI in 2025: 36,641 people
- People indirectly supported by HI in 2025: 220,374 people
- Program launch date: 2006
Areas of intervention
Latest stories
In Niger, HI supports communities in the face of crisis
The Tillabéri and Diffa regions of Niger are facing a humanitarian crisis due to armed violence in the Sahel. HI has been running a project there since 2021, which has already helped more than 32,000 people.
Inclusive education in Niger: Malika's future within reach
Malika, a girl with a visual disability, has been supported by HI's inclusive education work for almost four years. Studious and radiant, she thrives at school, enjoys playing with her friends and dreams of becoming a teacher.
There are real improvements in access to education for children with disabilities
Alio Assoumane works in the field of inclusive education in Niger. He describes the national context and the efforts made to promote the inclusion of children with disabilities in schools.
a life
Background
Niger, a Sahelian country with a population of over 27 million, faces a multidimensional humanitarian crisis that has worsened over several years. In 2026, more than 3 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian aid in a context marked by food insecurity, forced displacement, and persistent violence.
The socio-economic context remains fragile and, despite a slight improvement in economic growth, poverty still affects nearly 41% of the population. Inequalities are widening, particularly in rural areas and among internally displaced populations. In recent years, living conditions have also deteriorated for many people, driven by rising food prices, declining purchasing power, and reduced economic opportunities, particularly in conflict-affected regions.
Nearly one million people have been displaced in Niger, mainly due to armed violence and cross-border conflicts that continue to threaten civilian populations. Furthermore, half the population lacks access to essential health services, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
Niger also faces climate-related hazards, particularly floods and droughts. Floods, which are becoming increasingly frequent and severe due to climate change, affected more than a million people in 2024, destroying crops and infrastructure. Food insecurity is worsening, affecting more than 1.8 million people, and the situation could deteriorate further during the 2026 lean season. Children are particularly affected, with nearly 11% of them suffering from acute malnutrition.
Furthermore, in a country where one in two citizens is under 15, access to education remains a major challenge. Yet Niger continues to have one of the lowest school enrolment rates in the world – around 10% of schools are not operational, mainly in the Tillabéri region – with children with disabilities disproportionately affected by school dropout rates.
Finally, people with disabilities face significant discrimination and socio-economic inequalities. Negative perceptions and attitudes perpetuated by families and the wider community remain the greatest obstacle to their successful social integration.
- Population: 27 million
- HDI: 0.419 (2023)
- GDP: USD 19.88 billion (2024)
- GDP per capita: ~USD 735 (2024)
