Project achievements to date include:

· The re-stocking of 240 pastoralist households (1,680 individuals) with livestock; special attention was paid to determine appropriate species, breeds, types, and age class of animals, and to the ecological and economic carrying capacity of the local environment. 40% of beneficiary households are headed by women.

· The provision of veterinary services to 240 pastoralist households, including increased access to a range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, and targeted training of Community Animal Healthcare Workers.

· Training of beneficiary households in improving existing techniques for production, preservation and storage of pastoral produce, including training in more efficient and productive dairy processing techniques, and the introduction of dry meat schemes and granaries.

· The construction and management of two types of food banks- one for cereals (for human nutritional needs) and one for fodder (for livestock nutritional needs). These are used in times of scarcity, particularly the dry season between April and June. A management committee elected by the community has been trained to administer the cereal banks.

The aforementioned achievements have resulted in an overall project impact of combating hunger for the most vulnerable – including women and children – and improving food security for pastoral communities in rural Niger. With generous support from RI’s network of Global Giving donors, RI has been able to transition whole villages from emergency hunger to a more equitable, secure, and healthy future.

Mother and child with goats