Transforming community lives through cash distribution

Located 90 km from the capital Niamey and in the region of Tillaberi, Ouallam department has witnessed an increasing number of attacks since early 2018. These attacks have resulted in the deaths of several people. The department has been under a state of emergency since 2018, a situation accompanied by precautionary measures related to the closure of markets and the restriction of movement of people and their assets in insecure areas, which has contributed to weakening household economies.

Due to this worrying humanitarian security situation, World Vision through the multi-usage cash project funded by UNICEF organized a cash distribution operation targeting the internally displaced and most vulnerable host populations in the department of Ouallam.

Community members in 16 villages benefited from the cash distribution which aims to strengthen their livelihoods and prevent malnutrition among children under five years. More than  800 households including more than 500 internally displaced persons and 265 host populations benefited from 55,828,000 FCFA (96719 USD) i.e. 68,000 FCFA per household (approximately 118 USD).

Zakou a 60-year-old village chief and father of 10 children and six grandsons said "I farm and have a small business but due to the insecurity exacerbated by climate change life has become very complicated because I can neither work the land nor trade. Sometimes we only eat once a day, which is tough when you have children. I am not able to afford to access medical care for the children when they are sick. Thanks to this support we just received, I will be able to buy food, cater for the children who are in school and save some  little money for medical emergencies. I am so grateful to World Vision."

Ramatou, a 40-year-old mother of nine children adds, “insecurity has upset everything in our lives. The very camp where the refugees have now settled in,  is actually our fields, so it is impossible for us to cultivate, hence worsening our food problems. My concern is also about the children who go to school because I have to buy them supplies and give them recreation money. This help from World Vision has come at the right time to alleviate most of my suffering. We thank God and World Vision for this very important support."

Haoua, a 36-year-old mother of six children said: I am grateful for this support that comes at the right time, may God bless you.  This money will help me a lot, especially to ensure I can get good food for my baby because the food I give him at the moment is not nutritious. I will be able to cover some needs of the house and take my child to the health center whenever he is not feeling well. I will no longer have to borrow money from my parents or neighbours to treat my child.