World Vision renews collaboration with Niger Government for child well-being
The National Director for World Vision in Niger, Mr. Yves Habumugisha, was received by the Minister of Spatial Planning and Community Development, Mr. Maman Ibrahim Mahaman, on Thursday, February 16, 2022 as part of the signing of a protocol that determines the terms of the collaboration between World Vision and the Government of Niger for the period 2020-2026.
It was in the presence of the Secretary General of the Ministry Mr. Elhaj Ibrahim Adamou, and the head of the direction of NGOs and Associations, Doctor Labo Hamisssou. The signing of this protocol coincides with the launch of the organisation's new strategy for the next five years, whose objective is to contribute significantly to the well-being of the child in accordance with its mandate.
Speaking on the occasion of the signing, Minister Maman Ibrahim Mahaman congratulated World Vision for its contribution in supporting the implementation of the State's public policies in terms of development and humanitarian response, while insisting on the respect that this organisation shows for the texts governing the role and responsibility of NGOs in Niger. "For our Ministry, World Vision sets a good example, which is why we must support them so that other NGOs adopt the same dynamic", he said.
Whilst speaking to media on behalf of World Vision, Mr. Yves Habumugisha spoke about the strategy for the organisation with regard to children's well-being. Asked about the objectives of the strategy, he said: "This strategy that will allow us to further contribute to the well-being of the child, and will be a strategy that aligns with the protocol we have just signed with the Government of the Republic of Niger; which highlights the framework for collaboration between World Vision and the Government."
Mr. Habumugisha further noted that our interventions and the work of our structure will revolve around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the objectives of the well-being of children that are so dear to World Vision. "For World Vision, there are four goals for the well-being of children on which we will focus. If we connect them with the SDGs, we will contribute to six SDGs", he said.
These objectives are as follows:
- World Vision will contribute to ensuring that girls and boys in Nigerien communities maintain positive relationships with their families and with their communities, and this is in perfect alignment with SDG 16 which revolves around peace and justice, to ensure that these children are fulfilled in in their environment.
- We will contribute to ensure that girls and boys are protected from violence and that girls and boys thrive together. It is a goal that revolves around SDG 5.
- World Vision will work to ensure that girls and boys to enjoy health, and to increase the number of well-nourished children. Through nutrition, through health we will contribute to three SDGs. These include SDG 2 which aims to end hunger and promote nutrition; SDG 3 to ensure it has well-being and good health for all and at all ages; and SDG 6 which is universal access to water and sanitation.
- World Vision will contribute to the goal of child well-being which aims to ensure education, and aligns with various SDGs including SDG 4 to ensure access to education, the goals on health, food and access to water and sanitation.
Over the next five years, we aim to reach 1,745,000 children, including at least 1,477,000 of the most vulnerable children. "Reaching them means in their families and in their communities; we will broaden the targets, and the target groups that will benefit from our programmes in different aspects", shared the National Director.
For some time, Niger has been facing a health crisis and also a food security crisis that affects many families, especially in rural areas where the presence and access to basic social services is very low. Asked what World Vision intends to do to cushion these difficulties that these populations are facing, Mr. Habumugisha shared World Vision's commitment.
"Niger, like all the countries of the world, is facing the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. Added to this is the security crisis, with security incidents at the borders or in different regions of the country and the looming food crisis. In response to the latter, the Government launched a support plan and humanitarian plan to meet the needs of more than 3,700,000 people over the next 12 months, with a focus on the protection of children who are internally displaced while Niger also hosts refugees in a context of climate change with droughts and/or floods."
In this context, World Vision's efforts to support the Government are in the direction of humanitarian assistance, particularly in the context of its food response. From November 2021 to March 2022, a sum of about 1,155,000,000 CFA Francs (approximately 1.915 million US Dollars) was allocated. These efforts will continue to reach refugees, people affected by floods, as well as internally displaced persons and returnees.
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Story by Nasser Moumouni – Network of Nigerien Journalists