Niger

Niger is a landlocked, sub-Saharan nation with a population of 12.9 million.

The country's economy centres on livestock produce and uranium but farming is threatened by encroaching desert and uranium is prone to price fluctuations. Niger is the driest country in West Africa and averages only 800mm of rain a year. A good rainy season is crucial to the wellbeing of the people as 90% of the population is employed in agriculture and there is very little irrigation. However, even when the rainfall is adequate, good land is scarce and problems of swarming locusts often result in severe food shortages for much of the population.

Niger remains one of the world's poorest countries with 63% of the population living on less than $1 a day. Slavery was only banned in 2003 and it is estimated that thousands of people still live in subjugation. With only one third of primary school-age children receiving education, Niger has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world. Likewise, its health system is rudimentary and disease is widespread.

Some of the reasons Plan works in Niger

• More than 25% of all children die before they are five years old
• 40% of children under five suffer from stunted growth due to poor nutrition
• 70% of children do not go to primary school
• Nearly 90% of the population does not have access to adequate sanitation facilities
• Over half the population do not have access to clean, safe drinking water