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Current Requirements (US$)$583.9 million
Analysis of the context, crisis and needs
Niger continues to face multiple complex humanitarian needs related to escalating conflict-related violence and socioeconomic challenges. The number of people in need has almost doubled, from 1.9 million in 2017 to 3.7 million in 2022. Violence related to the activities of armed groups in the country (in border areas) and surrounding countries (Burkina Faso, Mali and Nigeria) continues to be the main cause of internal displacement and influx of refugee requiring protection, and of stress on access to essential social services. The effects of climate change are exacerbating food insecurity and malnutrition among the local population in a context of high poverty and low levels of socioeconomic development in some areas. In addition, the effects of climate change (seasonal floods, pockets of drought), the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequences of the war in Ukraine have exacerbated vulnerabilities and led to increased humanitarian needs.
2022 was marked by the deterioration of the security situation in new departments in the regions of Diffa (N'guigmi), Tahoua (Bagaroua and Madaoua) and Tillabéri (Torodi, Say and Kollo). The numbers of IDPs and refugees have increased by 42.6 per cent and 2 per cent, respectively, compared to last year. As of 30 September, the Government has reported 376,000 IDPs and 253,000 refugees. During the same period, the Protection Cluster recorded 2,805 protection incidents compared with 3,614 throughout 2021. This number could be reached by the year’s end, given the security situation. The number of cases of child rights violations has increased by 25 per cent compared to the same period in 2021 (from 430 to 537). Due to insecurity, 890 schools remained closed (817 of which were in Tillabéri), which is a 36 per cent increase compared to 2021.
Due to rainfall deficits in 2021, agricultural yields were very low. The Cadre Harmonisé of March 2022 estimated 4.4 million people were food insecure (phases 3 and 4) during the lean season (March–June 2022). An estimated 2.4 million people required nutritional assistance.
Niamey, Niger
Amina lost her home and all her belongings to floods. She said: “We are living in a tent, worried every time we hear the rain coming."
OCHA/Michele CattaniRegarding floods, the Government reported more than 327,000 people affected (as of 23 October), including 195 deaths. This is more than double the number of deaths recorded in 2020.
A cholera epidemic was declared in the Maradi and Zinder regions in August. As of 25 October, there were 68 reported cases of cholera, including 2 deaths.
Niger experienced a slight outbreak of COVID-19 in August. As of October 29, the country has recorded 9,428 positive cases, including 314 deaths.
The lingering effects of climate change combined with the challenges of endemic poverty, limited access to essential services and livelihoods, and human rights violations in conflict-affected areas will undoubtedly continue to affect the protection of the most vulnerable communities and increase their humanitarian needs. Underfunding and access remain major constraints to humanitarian operations. Despite limited resources (43 per cent of the Humanitarian Response Plan [HRP] was funded by the end of October), humanitarian actors, in coordination with State service partners, have assisted over 3 million people, which is more than 100 per cent of their target. Overall performance is largely driven by the number of people reached through food assistance provided during the lean season, which has seen unprecedented numbers of people who need immediate and urgent food assistance. It is important to note that following the March 2022 Cadre Harmonisé analysis, the Food security target was revised upwards to 4.1 million beneficiaries (2.6 supported by humanitarian actors and 1.5 by the Government). However, there has been no revision of the HRP and therefore the HRP food security target has remained at 2,2 million people.
More funding would ensure that no one is left behind, and that assistance in other sectors is improved. It would also allow for more resilient actions to reverse the trend of increasing humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable people.
When The River Breaks: Hama’s Story
Hama's house was wiped out by a flood, since then he has lived in a site for displaced people in Niger.
Projected situation in 2023 and beyond
In 2023, it is estimated that 4.2 million people will be in need in Niger. The estimated figure was derived from a thorough analysis of a multisector needs assessment conducted in June 2022, area assessment data (e.g. Cadre Harmonisé and SMART survey) and shock-prone risk analyses. The estimated figure is a provisional number awaiting the update of the findings of the Nutrition SMART survey in November 2022. The identified needs are multisectoral, and their degree of severity varies across departments and the affected groups of IDPs, refugees, returnees and host communities. Despite the rains, the number of food insecure people and malnourished children is expected to remain high. Diffa, Tahoua and Tillaberi will remain the most affected even if the situation continues to deteriorate in Maradi. Populations whose livelihoods depend on agriculture will be the most affected. Due to a lack of investment in and reduced funding for the prevention of disaster risk reduction strategies, the number of people and areas affected by flooding will continue to increase.
Ouallam displacement camp, Niger
More than 28,000 internally displaced people and refugees have found refuge in Ouallam camp.
OCHA/Laura FultangResponse priorities in 2023
As of 30 September, 2.8 million people (124 per cent of the target) have received food assistance, and 247,430 people (29 per cent of the target) have received WASH assistance. Lack of access and insufficient resources are still the main causes for not reaching more people, especially in hard-to-reach areas where humanitarian needs are acute.
The humanitarian community projects that 2.3 million people will be targeted to receive multisectoral assistance in 2023. The response targets vulnerable groups in acute need, factoring in their preferences and priorities, access constraints, response modalities, the severity of needs, the gender dimension and the clusters’ operational capacity to deliver.
The contribution to durable solutions for IDPs should be explored as part of the nexus strategy, particularly in non-active conflict areas. In alignment with the UN Capital Development Fund, the humanitarian community has developed a three-year strategy. Thus, a coordinated approach between humanitarian, development and peace actors will ensure that areas of high vulnerability are addressed collectively through the sequencing and layering of interventions to reduce the needs of identified individuals. A capacity-building effort for local actors will allow for better integration of localization.
Niger HRP
References
- Niger Humanitarian dashboard Q3 2022