Children With Disabilities In Niger To Receive Food Assistance

It is often said that children suffer the most from food insecurity. While this is true, there is another group that suffers even more hardship – impoverished children with disabilities. In Niger, this is particularly acute in the capital of Niamey since most food security initiatives focus on rural areas.

Fortunately, almost 1,600 children with disabilities – most of them blind – in the capital of Niger will receive two meals a day as part of a new one-year program to reduce malnutrition and keep kids in school. Launched today, it is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and implemented by the U.S. non-profit Counterpart. (www.counterpart.org)  

At the launching ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to Niger Bisa Williams said: “This food assistance will certainly allow persons with disabilities to lead a more active and dynamic life. Such support is essential to eradicating poverty and to limiting the negative effects of begging. The American government through USAID is proud to support this initiative in partnership with the government of Niger and Counterpart International.”

The U.S. ambassador was joined by Niger’s Population Minister and the Governor of the Niamey Region at the launch of the International Food Relief Partnership program.

While most food assistance programs are focused on rural areas, the International Food Relief Partnership will concentrate on urban poverty. Also unique to the program is the participation of two nongovernmental organizations – the National Blind People’s Union and Handicap Niger – serving and run by people with disabilities.

“This initiative is another example of how Counterpart works with communities to overcome obstacles facing the most disadvantaged,” says Joan Parker, president and CEO of Counterpart. “These children will stay in school, live healthier lives and contribute to their communities, regardless of their disabilities.”

Elsewhere in Niger, Counterpart is helping communities in the Zinder region to overcome food insecurity through nutrition, agricultural training and other activities through 2013. In the Diffa region, Counterpart has a one-year initiative that supports 24 health centers, education for pregnant and lactating women and the rehabilitation of 65 cereal banks. Both programs are funded by USAID.

“Food assistance is part of a broader strategy to get people through dire times, and while giving them the platform – in this case in the form of health and education – that will help them to withstand future food shortages on their own,” says Parker. “It is an honor to work with community leaders that recognize that each community is better off by having all citizens healthy, educated and engaged.”

In addition to Niger, Counterpart currently has operations in 20 countries in Africa, Europe and Eurasia, South and Central Asia, Near East, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Counterpart International is a global development organization that empowers people and communities to implement innovative and enduring solutions to social, economic and environmental challenges.

For nearly 50 years, Counterpart has been working in partnership with communities in need to address complex problems related to economic development, food security and nutrition, and building effective governance and institutions.

By Michael Zamba