Niger is facing a complex, multi-faceted crisis of persistent conflict and insecurity, flooding, and widespread poverty, which has led to population displacement and food insecurity. Women, girls, and young people are disproportionately affected by these factors, which exacerbate vulnerabilities and severely restrict access to essential health and protection services.
Approximately 1.6 million women of reproductive age are in urgent need of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. This includes approximately 272,750 pregnant women who require medical care, with 13,640 of them at risk of life-threatening complications. UNFPA is responding by supporting 84 health facilities and deploying skilled midwives to fixed and mobile clinics, reaching a total of 20,557 people with SRH services in August.
The crisis has also heightened the risk of gender-based violence (GBV), with 923,660 adolescent girls particularly vulnerable to early marriage and sexual violence. During August, UNFPA and implementing partners reached a total of 10,207 people with GBV prevention, mitigation and response activities. However, GBV activities in several areas of Niger were affected by the ongoing insecurity.
UNFPA requires US$9.2 million for its overall humanitarian response in Niger, but currently three-quarters of the appeal - US$ 7 million remains unfunded. Without additional urgent support, the scale and sustainability of SRH and GBV programmes in Niger is at risk.
