Attachments
IOM Vision
IOM Niger’s vision is that international and internal migration (including internal displacement) in Niger is governed in an effective, rights-based, and sustainable manner. This vision is anchored in finding solutions to displacement and promoting the resilience, rights and dignity of migrants, displaced persons, and their host communities. Through community stabilization and peacebuilding initiatives, IOM aims to mitigate drivers of instability that may lead to irregular and forced migration. Additionally, IOM Niger aims to expand its support in crisis-prone areas, bolstering resilience to shocks.
Context analysis
In January 2012, the Central Sahel crisis erupted with the conflict in northern Mali. The instability later extended beyond the Malian borders, affecting the Liptako-Gourma region, which includes northern Burkina Faso and western Niger -- specifically the regions of Tillabéri and Tahoua. In the south-east of Niger, the Diffa region is affected by the Lake Chad Basin crisis, a multifaceted humanitarian crisis that has impacted Niger, Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria since insecurity started spreading from Nigeria in 2014. Meanwhile, the south-west of Niger has witnessed an increase in banditry and activity of non-state armed groups (NSAG) which spilt over into the Maradi (2016) and Tahoua (2019) regions from north-west Nigeria through the second half of the decade. The Niger-Chad-Libya triangle region is further affected by the presence of armed actors operating mostly through criminal activity along new migratory routes between Niger and Libya. At the same time, tension over the control of gold resources has been contributing to pervasive insecurity and violence since the second half of the 2010s.
This complex humanitarian, conflict and security situation has led to multiple displacement dynamics. In parallel, the impacts of climate change are intensifying and diversifying (e.g., floods, droughts, wildfires), endangering lives and affecting livelihoods. Over 80 per cent of Niger's population is employed in the agricultural sector, heavily relying on agriculture for food security and livelihoods (FAO 2023). Concerns are rising over the effects of climate change including rising temperatures, water scarcity and the occurrence of floods and other extreme weather events. Agricultural production in Niger is primarily subsistence-based and rainfed. Smallholder farmers are directly affected by the impacts of climate variability, which can reduce their food supply and increase the risk of hunger and poverty.
Niger has been experiencing ongoing socio-political tensions following the coup d'état on 26 July 2023. Sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which include temporarily closing both land and air borders, have added to the instability. This context has led to a series of challenges for Nigerien institutions and citizens, including extended power outages, financial difficulties, shortages, and increased prices of essential goods. This complex socio-political situation is worsening the existing and unprecedented humanitarian needs due to armed conflict, food insecurity, climate change, disease, and loss of livelihoods.
All these factors are increasing the vulnerability of communities to protection threats. Certain protection risks, such as survival sex, sexual violence, forced marriages, enrolment in NSAG, abductions, child labour and exploitation, explosive device incidents, and inter- and intra-community conflicts over access to natural resources, are also exacerbated as a result of economic sanctions and soaring food prices, as the number of households resorting to emergency livelihood coping strategies is increasing (Global Protection Cluster 2023). These protection risks are disproportionately affecting women and girls, who account for 50.3 per cent of the persons in need of the 2023 Humanitarian Needs Overview. Indeed, women, boys and girls constitute a higher percentage of people affected by forced displacement, as well as elderly people (Projet21 2023). The last Village Assessment Survey in Tillaberi in April 2023 showed that 66 per cent of all displaced persons were women and girls. Between January and October 2023, out of the 1,254 protection incidents reported, 31 per cent of the victims were women, girls and boys, with mostly violations of property rights, right to life and physical integrity and right to liberty, as well as gender-based violence (GBV) (Global Protection Cluster 2023). Further, with 890 schools closed due to the insecurity in the Tillaberi, Tahoua, Maradi and Diffa regions, affecting more than 77,900 children (including 49.3% of girls), girls and boys are also exposed to additional threats including recruitment, armed banditry and forced begging (Projet21 2023).
In this critical situation, IOM and its partners in humanitarian and development efforts remain committed to providing essential and long-term assistance to those most in need. It is crucial that this life-saving work continues without hindrance and is complemented by longer-term, development solutions that are sustainable. Exemptions to sanctions and border closures for humanitarian purposes are essential, particularly considering that 4.3 million people require humanitarian assistance in 2023 (Humanitarian Response Plan 2013). These needs are anticipated to rise if the socio-political situation persists.
Furthermore, there is a growing risk that Niger's political crisis could spill over to the surrounding region. This complex situation increases the potential for conflict and terrorism in the region, leading to greater humanitarian needs, increased migration and refugee flows, and pushing already vulnerable populations further into poverty.