Niger

Life in Niger

Niger is currently ranked 189 out of 191 countries and territories in the Human Development Index (HDI) and is one of the poorest and most vulnerable countries in the world. An estimated 17.5 million people do not have enough food to eat and nearly half of all children (48.5%) under five suffer from chronic malnutrition. The World Bank estimates 50.63% of the population of Niger lives below the International Poverty Line ($2.15 USD per day).

One of the largest land-locked territories in West Africa, the country takes its name from the Niger river. Over 80% of its land is located in the Sahara Desert, making it one of the world’s hottest nations.

Niger’s economy is based on subsistence agriculture and the export of raw commodities. The country’s main exports include oilseeds, mineral fuels and chemicals. Niger’s short rainy season and its fast growing population are just some of the factors driving food insecurity.

In Niger, an estimated 1.8 million children are out of school. Desperate children can resort to stealing food and are sent to overcrowded remand centres where they spend long periods awaiting trial. Many of these children have never even set foot in a classroom.

Our program is delivered through our partner, Grandir Dignement, and supports extremely vulnerable children in detention centres. Very few of them have been convicted of any crime and many are still awaiting trial for minor offences, like the theft of food. Most of the children – aged between 13 and 18 – have either dropped out of school or have never set foot inside a classroom.

Mary's Meals in Niger

Mary’s Meals has been serving school meals in Niger since 2020.

Working with a trusted partner, Grandir Dignement, we serve much-needed meals to more than 200 children in five youth remand centres in Niger. There is no stable provision of food in the centres and Mary’s Meals is a lifeline. The meals are served to children taking part in prison education programs, offering them vital nourishment and a chance to learn.