Sida's work in Niger
The population of Niger is facing several crises at once: conflict, reduced freedom of movement, recession and rapidly deteriorating access to food. Sida's humanitarian work focuses on saving lives, protecting the population and increasing access to food.
The humanitarian situation in Niger
Niger ranks lowest of all countries in the UN Human Development Index.1 Nine out of ten live in poverty and some 3.7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.
The indirect consequences of the pandemic in the form of shutdowns have led to recession and reduced freedom of movement. This affects people who were already hardest hit. In 2022, access to food has drastically deteriorated. 4.4 million people, around 20 % of the population, are estimated to lack secure access to food.
Niger is affected by several conflicts. The protracted conflict in north-eastern Nigeria affects all four countries around Lake Chad, including Niger. The country is also affected by the growing conflicts in Mali and Burkina Faso. Attacks and violence by various armed groups against civilians are common along the borders. Rising tensions in neighbouring countries have led to refugees crossing the border.
Some 280,000 people have been forced to leave their homes and are internally displaced. Niger has also received almost 250,000 refugees fleeing violence in neighbouring Burkina Faso, Mali, the Lake Chad region and north-western Nigeria.2
Climate change increases vulnerability
The areas around Lake Chad and the River Niger are important to the people of Niger and contribute to the livelihoods of many people. Both areas are vulnerable to climate change, natural disasters and environmental degradation. Rainfall is erratic and droughts, floods and conflicts all affect people’s livelihoods.
How Sida supports Cameroon
Sida’s focus is on life-saving intervention and protection for the most vulnerable people in the conflict zone.
Action againts malnutrition
Action Against Hunger (AAH) strengthens the health system in treating and monitoring children suffering from acute malnutrition. The project also improves access to water, sanitation and hygiene for particularly vulnerable households.
Improving the ability to support oneself
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) works to improve agricultural livelihoods and support adaptation to climate change, with a focus on particularly vulnerable people.
Protecting and helping people in need
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) protects people suffering from increased violence and insecurity, and improves access to health care. They also work on food distribution and building resilient communities.
Water and support
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) works on protection, health promotion, access to water, food security and livelihoods. NRC is active in areas where few other humanitarian stakeholders are present.
Transport to remote areas
Many people live in remote areas that are difficult for humanitarian organisations to reach due to a lack of security and poor infrastructure. The UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) flies humanitarian staff and cargo to remote areas, and the UN Food Programme (WFP) funds UNHAS.
Sida’s crisis analysis
Sida’s humanitarian support to Niger is based on an annual crisis analysis. In 2021, Niger received around SEK 50 million in humanitarian aid.
Updated: October 5, 2022