Attachments
Over 18,800 people have been displaced in March 2019 in Diffa region as a result of Boko Haram activities and attacks against civilians, adding to the 249,000 people previously displaced by the conflict, including 104,300 IDPs, 25,700 returnees and 118,900 refugees from Nigeria (UNHCR 26/03/2019, OCHA 04/04/2019).
In most cases, IDPs have fled without taking their belongings and are in urgent need of shelter, food and NFI support. Assessments conducted in the IDP sites have also shown a need for improved WASH infrastructure. Protection remain a high concerns as attacks against civilians have continued throughout the month of March and the risk of gender based violence is high (IRC 31/03/2019, IRC 30/03/2019, IRC 29/03/2019, IRC 26/03/2019).
Anticipated scope and scale
Diffa region in eastern Niger, located along the border with Nigeria, has been affected by Boko Haram activities since 2015. While the number of attacks decreased in 2017 and early 2018, the end of the year and the beginning of 2019 have seen a sharp increase in violence. Violence is likely to persist as military operations are conducted in Niger, but also in neighbouring Chad and Nigeria, as Boko Haram is looking to maintain its presence in the region. The situation will continue to impact food security, as access to the fields will remain constrained. Access to education will be affected as schools and teachers have been targeted.