DONATE

Our work in Niger

Neglected tropical diseases such as lymphatic filariasis are endemic in Niger, with more than 8.9 million people thought to be at risk of the disease.

Two villagers in Niger walk among dusty coloured huts.

This vast, landlocked country is particularly affected by lymphatic filariasis, a parasitic disease transmitted via mosquito bite.

The disease causes many unpleasant symptoms, but is frequently characterised by abnormal enlargement of body parts, including the hands, feet and scrotum (known as hydrocele).

Sightsavers has supported work in Niger to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) such as lymphatic filariasis thanks to the UK aid flagship NTD programme Ascend West and Central Africa. This three-year programme is made up of a consortium of partners, including Sightsavers, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Mott MacDonald, and the SCI Foundation.

In the first year of Ascend, we helped to carry out 200 operations for hydrocele. The programme is also planning to protect communities from other NTDs such as schistosomiasis and intestinal worms.

At a glance

Total population
  • 22.3 million

  • What we focus on
  • Lymphatic filariasis
  • Schistosomiasis
  • Intestinal worms

  • Key programmes
  • Ascend West/Central Africa
  • Your donation could help to protect sight

    DONATE

    More from western Africa

    An eye health worker checks a man's eyes for signs of trachoma.
    Sightsavers blog

    How Mali overcame three big challenges and eliminated trachoma

    Sightsavers’ Boubacar Morou Dicko shares the obstacles Mali faced on the road to eliminating trachoma, and how the country was able to overcome them.

    Four patients wait while socially distancing for their trauchoma surgery while wearing PPE and face masks.
    sightsavers_news

    Benin and Mali become the latest countries to eliminate trachoma

    Both countries’ achievements have been validated by the World Health Organization, meaning they join a growing list of countries to have banished the disease.

    May 2023
    A close-up of a woman having her eyes checked for trachoma.
    Sightsavers Reports

    Trachoma elimination in Benin: “All the pain was gone. It was like a miracle!”

    Benin has become the latest country to eliminate blinding trachoma. Here we meet people whose lives have been transformed, and those who helped to banish the disease.

    A young boy sits at a desk in a classroom, writing in an exercise book. A teacher stands next to him offering guidance.
    Sightsavers blog

    On data and disability: piloting the Child Functioning Module in Nigerian schools

    Sightsavers’ Liesbeth Roolvink and Gillian Mackay share learnings from the SMILE project in Nigeria, where a new questionnaire is being used in schools to assess children’s educational needs.

    Sightsavers, February 2023
    A teacher in Nigeria outs her arm on a student's shoulders as they stand at the blackboard.
    Sightsavers from the field

    Transforming education for every child in Kenya and Nigeria

    In Nigeria and Kenya, two innovative education projects are enabling children with disabilities to reach their potential.

    February 2023
    A group of girls and boys hold up medals after taking part in a football match.
    sightsavers_news

    Spectrum Markets helps children in Nigeria get sporty for World Children’s Day

    Students in Nigeria celebrated by taking part in a football match using sports equipment donated by one of Sightsavers’ corporate partners.

    November 2022

    We save sight in 30 countries worldwide

    Where we work