Niger

In Zinder and Maradi regions, the combination of an early malaria peak and a poor agricultural season led to a significant increase in the number of children in care. We also saw an unprecedented number of severely malnourished children coming across the border from Nigeria.

In Maradi, we tripled our intake capacity by launching two new emergency nutrition projects through hospital and ambulatory care in Aguie and Guidam Roumjdi districts, and stepped-up activities, including intensive therapeutic feeding and pediatric care, in Madarounfa district. The security situation in Tillabéri region, which shares borders with Mali and Burkina Faso, deteriorated in 2021. A spread of attacks on civilians led the region to fall into a state of violence and internal displacement. To respond to the increased needs in Torodi, Banibangou and Ayorou districts, MSF recruited extra medical staff, conducted mobile clinics, rehabilitated the emergency unit, and built a blood bank, an observation unit, a sterilization room, and a mental health consultation room.

In Diffa region, we ran community consultations to help reduce the workload on hospitals during malaria season, provided pediatric and obstetric care, mental health support, and treatment for sexual violence.

The flow of migrants expelled from Algeria in unofficial convoys arriving in Assamaka, Agadez region, did not decrease, despite tough anti-migration policies and the closure of borders due to COVID-19. A toll-free number set up for migrants in transit continues to receive calls and enables MSF teams to rescue migrants who have been tortured and dumped in the desert.

Throughout the year, MSF supported the health authorities’ responses to epidemics and floods, as well as vaccination campaigns against measles, meningitis, cholera, and polio.