Country Information
Founded: no history specific prior to settlements in 10th Century AD by Arab traders
Independence (from French control): 1960
Land Area: 1,267,000 Square Kilometers (almost twice the size of Texas)
Climate: desert, tropical in the south
Agricultural Land Usability: 11.5%
Natural Hazards: drought conditions
Environmental issues: soil erosion, desertification, overgrazing, deforestation
The People
Population: 12,525,094
Infant Mortality Rate: 119 deaths / 1000 births
Life Expectancy: 44 years
Major Diseases: high degree of risk bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, malaria, meningococcal meningitis
Religions: 80% Muslim, unknown breakdown between tribal and Christian religions
Literacy Rate: 18% (9% of women)
Unemployment rate: unknown
Population below the UN-established Poverty Line: 63% as of 1993, no current known data. World Bank estimates near total poverty.
Special Conditions
No special conditions are known
Identifying the Need
Poverty has obliterated any hope of a stable economy or social order for the time being.
New venues of income and agricultural ideas must be developed for Niger to have any hope of prospering or even surviving at this stage.
Education is a severe need as Nigerians are among the least educated persons in the world.
Food distribution is a dire need as internal supplies are near complete exhaustion and what little food is available often rots in stores as few people can afford to purchase it.
Medical care for malnourishment, starvation and all above listed diseases is a must for this nation.
How The Zakat Foundation Has Responded
Ramadan Programs
Throughout Ramadan we provide Iftar meals and food package distributions to some of the hungriest and poorest communities in all of Africa. Niger has been so decimated by poverty that Ramadan comes as a blessing because fasting is normal for these people already near starvation and each meal comes as a feast courtesy of The Zakat Foundation and our donors.
Back to top
Udhiya /Qurbani Distribution
Many of the people in Niger only see meat when it is provided by organizations like The Zakat Foundation. Our Udhiya / Qurbani distributions have increased so much that in 2006 we were able to provide for people, a marked increase from 750 the previous year. It is clear that investing charity in African nations like Niger is the greatest return of spiritual reward.
Back to top
Hunger Crisis in Niger – Relief Project – Ongoing
Hunger grips the African continent like an iron fist; but few countries have felt the crushing despair as hard as Niger. In Spring and early Summer of 2005 our teams rushed into Niger to ease the suffering and pain brought on by the final blow in what had been a progression of increasingly tough drought and famine periods. In this year more people died of dehydration, starvation and malnutrition than the previous two years combined.
Our distribution of food aid is ongoing for countries like Niger and we encourage our donors to continue supporting efforts there. Remember, for only $100 you can provide a month’s supply of food for a family of eight people.
Back to top
Clinic
Our medical services in Niger has helped hundreds of people. Unfortunately it could not be sustained for the long term because of a drop in donations. We need $1200 a month to be able to maintain a clinic which can provide much-needed medicines and care to the people who are too far from cities to receive any government help.
Please, help us save the lives of children in Niger. Help us to raise $1200 a month to re-establish and operate this clinic.
Back to top
Computer classroom
In the capitol of Niamey, we have attempted to help Niger bridge the digital divide which prevents so many people of Nigeria from receiving the strong education needed.
In a country where only 18% of the general population and only 9% of women know how to read and write; education is as much a need as food and water.
This country is starving for knowledge and a computer classroom will help to bring the industrialized world’s vast libraries to the fingertips of students.
Help us make this a reality by giving a beneficial knowledge to those who need it the most.
Back to top
