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.
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 populationWhat we focus on
Key programmes
Your donation could help to protect sight
DONATEMore from western Africa
Spectrum Markets helps children in Nigeria get creative for World Children’s Day
Students in Kaduna State celebrated by creating colourful drawings using art materials donated by Sightsavers’ corporate partner.
Eye care and COVID-19: what we’ve learned during the pandemic
Throughout the pandemic, our priority has been to restart our work quickly and safely. Sightsavers staff reveal our how eye care programmes have evolved in the past 18 months.
The last five years: Mali’s journey to protect the rights of people with disabilities
The signing and passing into law of a new social decree that protects the rights of people with disabilities was years in the making. But how did we get to this historic moment?
Seeing clearly: five sight-saving stories in Benin
The Accelerate programme, supported by Sightsavers, aims to stop people going blind from trachoma. In Benin, five patients reveal how the programme has changed their lives.
‘Prevention is better than cure’: How social behaviour change prevents glaucoma blindness
The Keep Sight initiative shares its findings on how social behaviour change could address the problem of people losing their sight because of glaucoma.
Sightsavers Nigeria’s Rasak Adekoya becomes One Young World ambassador
Rasak was selected for his work tackling the barriers faced by people with disabilities as part of the Inclusion Works programme in Nigeria.
We save sight in 30 countries worldwide
Where we work