Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and has one of the highest populations in the world at over 190 million persons. Although the country is rich in natural resources, its economy cannot yet meet the basic needs of the people. Health, health care, and general living conditions in Nigeria are poor, especially for children and women. The country has the second largest number of people living with HIV globally and accounts for nine percent of the global HIV burden. Project HOPE works to improve health outcomes for the most at-risk populations in Nigeria, particularly young women, newborns, and children. Currently, our programs aim to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS and improve health care associated infection prevention and control practices.

In the Cross River and Ebonyi states, Project HOPE has adopted an innovative family-centered orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) approach and coordinated care model that is integrated with other HIV prevention, care, and treatment services. Operated in partnership with HIFASS, this five-year USAID-funded program is working to reach 310,000 children that have been orphaned or left vulnerable due to the spread of HIV/AIDS with care and support services.

Our history in Nigeria
Project HOPE has been improving health outcomes in Nigeria since 2012 when medical volunteers provided health care services and education to hard-to-reach communities in Nigeria as part of a humanitarian mission. We launched our partnership with HIFASS in 2014 implementing our current OVC program.

Also in 2014 during the Ebola crisis, Project HOPE collaborated with the CDC Foundation, the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) and the College of Medicine at the University of Lagos (CMUL) to improve infection prevention and control knowledge and practices in healthcare facilities. More recently, in 2017, Project HOPE deployed a team of health and nutrition experts to assess the humanitarian and health needs of internally displaced persons affected by Boko Haram in Borno State, North-East Nigeria.