Niger: Operational Update, September 2023 – Niger

Niger’s Protection Cluster has reported that nearly 339,000 forcibly displaced people are in urgent need of protection kits. These kits include items such as dignity kits, recreational kits for children, post-rape kits, as well as cash to support people with special needs. Current stocks, in the country cover only 9 per cent of the targeted beneficiaries.

The headcount and biometric verification process for Nigerian refugees has been successfully completed in Diffa and in the Madaoua zone of Tahoua Region. About 130,320 individuals (30,212 households) got verified in Diffa Region, while 31,630 individuals (8,803 households) were registered in Madaoua. A strategy for continuous registration was set up in the event of new arrivals.

As of 30 September, UNHCR and its partners have completed the biometric verification of 2,775 people in need of international protection in Agadez Region. Of these, 1,916 are asylum-seekers and 859 are refugees. The most vulnerable have been accommodated in five transit houses in Agadez, where they receive appropriate protection and assistance. The others are housed at the Humanitarian Centre.

Operational Context

Despite the various conflicts in the Sahel region and the current situation in Niger following the coup d’état on 26 July, Niger continues to receive refugees and asylum-seekers primarily from Nigeria (68 per cent), followed by Mali (21 per cent), Burkina Faso (9 per cent), while 2 per cent are from other countries.
Additionally, there are more than 335,277 internally displaced people and about 45,277 other persons under UNHCR’s mandate. This group includes Nigerien returnees who were staying outside the country in areas affected by different conflicts and insecurity, which forced them to flee.

UNHCR’s approach in Niger is resolutely multi-sectoral, aiming to provide substantial support to the Nigerien state in the provision of protection services, assistance and solutions for forcibly displaced people.
Particular attention is paid to the most vulnerable groups, including women, children and individuals with specific needs, while favoring an approach aimed at strengthening community structures.

Throughout September, UNHCR operations continued uninterrupted in Niger, except for areas designated as « military operations zones » by the authorities, where humanitarian activities have been temporarily suspended. Over time, however, the ruling authorities have introduced measures to soften this decision, thereby minimising its impact on humanitarian operations nationwide. The current authorities have given newly appointed regional governors (all members of the defence forces) responsibility for determining whether areas under their control are safe for humanitarian actors. In regions such as Diffa, the Governor has supported the joint efforts of humanitarian and development actors to continue providing assistance and support to displaced people and host communities.

UNHCR remains deeply concerned by the situation of vulnerable people in Niger, IDPs and refugees as much as for the host communities also affected by the current situation. Imposed sanctions, rising prices and the continued closure of key access points for the import of goods, such as Benin and Nigeria, continue to weaken the overall resilience of the population. Unless there is a significant breakthrough in resolving the political crisis, the humanitarian situation of a very large segment of the population living in Niger is likely to become alarming.

Like all other UN Agencies in Niger, UNHCR has established channels of communication with the new authorities, meeting with the Secretaries General of the Ministries of the Interior, Humanitarian Action, and Justice at a technical level. This cooperation is of crucial importance in ensuring the smooth continuity of humanitarian activities, facilitating the free flow of personnel, resources, and finances, and enabling essential tasks such as refugee status determination to be carried out.