- How we Help
- Where we work
- Asia
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- West Africa
- Burkina Faso
- Benin
- Liberia
- Mali
- Nigeria
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- Protected in Guinea
- Guinea Bissau
- Guinea Conakry
- Our Successes
- Achievements
- Last years highlights
- People we've helped
- Eliminating the problem
- Demonstrating success
- Village Vision
- Sorufa's Story
- Mohammad's New Business
- Protecting a Child's Future
- Restoring Sight in Bangladesh
- Top of the Class
- Africa without river blindness
- Hakim's Story
- Reaching more children
- Abdoulie's Story
- Talking to Angeline Akai
- Mama's Independance
- Lasoi's Story
- Saving Sight
- Kaduna State
- Caught in Time
- Learn More
River blindness is one of the main causes of visual impairments in Benin. Sightsavers are combating the disease by supporting the distribution of the drug Mectizan©. © Suzanne Porter / Sightsavers
Benin
Benin has a population of 9.1million people, and consists of a narrow strip of land that extends north from the Gulf of Guinea. Despite being one of Africa's most stable democracies, with a number of political parties and strong civil societies, Benin remains one of the poorest countries in the world.
Sightsavers in Benin
Benin is the latest addition to the West African countries in which Sightsavers works. The Ministry of Health of Benin approached Sightsavers asking for our support to control river blindness in the country. It is estimated that some 3.5 million people living in 3,500 villages and hamlets are at risk from the disease. We are supporting river blindness work in the country, and aim to support a full comprehensive eye services programme in the future.
