Sightsavers has been awarded $16.9 million to continue and expand its deworming work, after a funding recommendation from US charity evaluator GiveWell.

For the seventh year in a row, GiveWell has awarded the grants after it assessed Sightsavers’ deworming work and rated it as highly cost-effective. As a result of the recommendation, Open Philanthropy has awarded a grant to continue and expand work in Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria, while GiveWell’s All Grants Fund is providing funding for the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The deworming programmes treat and protect millions of school-age children from schistosomiasis and intestinal worms. These two parasitic infections can cause illness and disability, affecting a child’s development, health and future.

Based on GiveWell’s in-depth analysis, the cost-effectiveness of Sightsavers’ deworming work is rated as almost double the funding threshold, with many states in Nigeria rated as even more cost-effective. The funding will ensure deworming programmes that previously received funding through GiveWell will continue, and will help to expand the programme to 10 new areas in Chad and three additional provinces in Democratic Republic of Congo.

GiveWell-funded programmes will be working across 12 states in Nigeria, four provinces in Democratic Republic of Congo, six regions in Cameroon and 16 regions in Chad, with more than 13 million children targeted for treatment. Combined with previous funding, the grants will fund this deworming work for three or four years depending on the location.