Humanitarian Mission in Niger - Première Urgence Internationale

Niger

Humanitarian context

Considered one of the poorest countries in the world, Niger is at the heart of several crises: Lake Chad, the Sahel as a whole, and a migration crisis. These affect the country already heavily impacted by structural issues.

The region of Tillaberi is directly affected by the ongoing insecurity in the “three borders” zone (Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger). People face problems in accessing basic resources and services, particularly in terms of access to health care. The COVID-19 pandemic has also affected the living conditions of already vulnerable populations. In Niger, 3.8 million people are currently in need of humanitarian assistance.

Key figures

2018

Year of mission
implementation

33

National staff

4

Expatriate staff

123 590

Beneficiaries

Description of the mission

Première Urgence Internationale is present in the Sahel region since the 1990s by implementing health programs to help vulnerable populations, notably in the Agadez region of Niger.

At the end of 2017, faced with the deteriorating security situation in the “3 frontiers” zone, and in particular in the Tillaberi region of Niger, Première Urgence Internationale decided to develop a regional strategy in the Sahel Central region and reopen a mission in Niger. Today, Première Urgence Internationale has a coordination office in Niamey as well as two operational bases in Ouallam and Torodi, in the Tillaberi region and an operational base in Maradi.

Premiere Urgence Internationale in action

Première Urgence Internationale‘s actions in Niger aim to improve access to care and to strengthen monitoring and warning systems, particularly at the community level, while working to strengthen health structures in the Tillabéri and Maradi regions in the long term. Our teams are strengthening the health system by supporting the region’s health centres and deploying mobile clinics to facilitate access to care. Première Urgence Internationale^[1] also contributes to meeting primary and mental health needs through a rapid response mechanism. This year, the mission in Niger has stepped up its community health activities so that people continue to have access to health care in the most remote areas. In addition, a new base was opened in Maradi to provide health assistance to displaced populations and guests affected by the insecurity in the region. Finally, Première Urgence Internationale is adopting a regional approach in the Central Sahel with missions in Mali and Burkina Faso to strengthen our impact in this complex crisis.

^[1] In consortium with COOPI and Alima.

Mission news

FATI, TRADITIONAL BIRTH ATTENDANT IN A CONFLICT ZONE IN NIGER

15 April 2022 | News

In August 2021, Première Urgence Internationale conducted a training course in the district of Torodi, Tillabéri region, for traditional birth attendants to raise their awareness about obstetrical dangers and the importance of having qualified medical personnel accompany women during childbirth. Our teams met Fati, a traditional birth attendant, who has since benefited from our support in her daily activities.

Niger : Première Urgence Internationale deploys an emergency response in the city of Gaya

28 January 2022 | News

At the heart of the Sahelian crisis, Niger is currently facing a gradual deterioration in the security situation, which is affecting the population. The Dosso region, which until now has been unaffected by the actions of armed opposition groups, is gradually becoming involved in the conflict. In December 2021, several hundred Nigerien fishermen living in Burkina Faso and Benin abandoned their homes because of the pressure from the Beninese army and the Armed Forces of Burkina Faso, and found refuge in the department of Gaya, in the south of the Dosso region. Première Urgence Internationale conducted a rapid response action with the displaced populations to deal with the urgent health needs.