Where we work
Sightsavers works in more than 30 countries in some of the poorest parts of the world.
Our work focuses on low and middle income countries in Africa and Asia.
In 2017 we carried out more than 14 million eye examinations across the countries where we work, and distributed more than 157 million treatments to prevent and treat debilitating diseases.
Our first programmes in the 1950s started in Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Nigeria, with several other African countries following in the next two decades. In the 1960s and 70s we also expanded into Asia with our first projects in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, and continued to extend our work across Africa. Most recently, we started work in Yemen in 2018, distributing treatments for neglected tropical diseases.
Our work in Sri Lanka came to an end in 2016, marking an exciting milestone: it’s the first time we’ve been able to finish our work in a country, satisfied that the eye care services we’ve set up can continue without us.
Our history
Sightsavers has been changing lives and restoring sight worldwide since 1950.
Read our storyWhere we work
Western Africa
Benin
Burkina Faso
Côte d’Ivoire
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Liberia
Mali
Nigeria
Senegal
Sierra Leone
The Gambia
Togo
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DONATEMeet our staff around the world
Pakistan
“Restoring people’s sight and empowering people with disabilities gives me immense satisfaction.”
Munazza Gillani, country director
More from Pakistan
Zambia
“Saving people’s sight isn’t just my job: it's my calling. I’m happy to help children have a brighter future.”
Mr Ndalela, ophthalmic doctor
Read Mr Ndalela’s story
Uganda
“If we are all Ugandans, we should all be treated equally. That is what I want: to see change.”
Edith Kagoya, programme manager
Read Edith’s story
Learn more about how we save sight worldwide
About SightsaversOur work around the globe
March updates: highlights from around the world
News about Sightsavers' fundraising gala in Dubai, plus updates from Sierra Leone, Zambia and Mozambique.
Liberia five years on: saving sight in the aftermath of Ebola
Lincoln Gankpala, from the Liberian Ministry of Health, shares his experience of treating river blindness before, during and after the devastating Ebola outbreak that claimed thousands of lives.
Reaching Ruangwa: an epic journey to help save sight
Sightsavers’ Jo Howard travels across rural Tanzania with an eye health team to see how far they must go to treat some of the most remote communities for trachoma.
February updates: highlights from around the world
An update from Sightsavers’ India office, which has won several high-profile awards for its NGO work. Plus news from Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal.
January updates: highlights from around the world
Featuring news about a teacher from Nigeria who has been trained to check her students’ eyes. Plus updates from Mozambique, Uganda and more.
Sightsavers in Zambia: protecting rural communities from trachoma
Sightsavers’ Tom Hodgson travelled to Zambia to see how eye surgeon Mr Ndalela is saving sight by diagnosing and treating people for trachoma.
November updates: highlights from around the world
News about a programme that has distributed more than 137,000 pairs of glasses across eight countries. Plus updates from Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique and more.
Saving sight in Zambia’s most remote regions
Sightsavers’ Caitlin Maslen travelled with an outreach team as they visited an isolated village to treat people with trachoma.
October updates: highlights from around the world
In October, celebrations took place in many of Sightsavers' programme countries to mark World Sight Day. Plus news from Kenya, Mozambique and more.
