Barely one-third of the population of Konni District in southern Niger is covered by government health care services, forcing mothers and infants to fight for survival from the deadly effects of malaria, malnutrition, and obstetric emergencies. To enable families to protect their health and find quality services when needed, RI launched the Healthy Start Program.

Niger is ranked by the United Nations as the second poorest country in the world. One in four children dies before the age of five. Thirty percent of children in southern Niger's Konni District are malnourished. Mothers often give birth without proper medical assistance, and far too few families are properly vaccinated against diseases such as polio and measles.

RI's Healthy Start Program builds upon the strong working relationships established in Niger since 2005, when RI responded to its food security crisis with a successful livelihoods program for nomadic herders.

In order to improve both the coverage and quality of health care services, as well as lower the risk of infant mortality, the program focuses on pre- and post-natal care, nutrition, malaria prevention and diarrhea control. With your help and the generous support of a USAID Child Survival and Health Grant, RI brings hope and opportunity to Nigerien mothers and children for a healthy future.

Click here to download the video clip of Children Receive a Healthy Start in Niger.