HI is currently supporting Niger's vulnerable populations and people with disabilities, helping the country's various humanitarian actors to adopt an inclusive response. To ensure that the specific needs of vulnerable populations and people with disabilities are taken into account, our programme conducts studies on existing barriers, raises awareness among associations and communities and strengthens the inclusive dimension of other humanitarian actors' interventions. The teams provide support for inclusion at central level, in various clusters and working groups.
HI is also implementing a project to strengthen the resilience and social cohesion of vulnerable populations in cross-border regions by supporting community-run projects. Our teams organise the distribution of kits and shelters to cover the basic needs of vulnerable populations and assist local actors in addressing mental health and psychosocial support needs. They also organise risk education sessions and training within the communities.
Given the risks of malnutrition caused by natural disasters or armed conflicts, the programme supports the families of children suffering from acute malnutrition. To this end, our teams organise discussion groups and offer physiotherapy sessions to stimulate young children.
Lastly, although Niger is the country with the youngest population in the world, the school enrolment rate remains very low, especially among children with disabilities. Through our inclusive education project, HI helps children with disabilities to access and remain in primary education. This involves strengthening the capacities and training of teachers, working to identify and follow-up children with disabilities and raising community awareness of disability issues.