WASH Severity Classification: Niger

The document is a report on the WASH Severity Classification (WSC) exercise conducted in Niger in July-August 2021. It reveals that the entire country was in Phase 3 (Crisis) for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions, except for Mayahi (Maradi) and Ayerou (Tillabéri) departments, which were in Phase 4 (Critical). The WSC is an inter-agency initiative led by the global WASH cluster, UNICEF, and IMPACT Initiatives to standardize the classification of WASH needs severity across different contexts.

Key factors contributing to the severity of WASH conditions in Niger include endemic poverty, limiting access to WASH; climatic and hydrogeological context, with Niger being arid and vulnerable to climate change; and security situations causing population displacements and reduced access to WASH infrastructure due to insecurity.

The report highlights the widespread practice of open defecation, the high poverty rate affecting access to clean water and sanitation facilities, and the impact of these conditions on public health, particularly the prevalence of diarrheal diseases and cholera. The analysis anticipates potential deterioration in WASH conditions during the forecast period (July-October 2021) due to the rainy season and security issues in neighboring countries.