OCHA Niger Flagship Initiative [EN/AR]

Context

NIGER For the past two years, Niger - alongside Colombia, the Philippines, and South Sudan - has been engaged in the Flagship Initiative, an innovative approach aiming to transform humanitarian response and break the vicious cycle of aid dependency. In Niger, six pilot municipalities in the regions of Diffa (Chetimari, Diffa, and N’Guigmi) and Tillabéri (Ayorou, Banibangou, and Ouallam) are implementing the initiative, which is currently being extended to the regions of Maradi and Tahoua.

Progress Highlights

Here are some examples of progress:

• In 2024, communities, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees, in 49 municipalities across Niger were able to express their priority needs through community consultations. This demonstrates how community engagement is the critical component of the Flagship Initiative, ensuring the active and meaningful participation of affected populations.
• Community representatives, mayors, operational partners in humanitarian, development, and stabilization sectors, alongside donors, are actively involved in the Communal Coordination Committees (CCC) in the six pilot municipalities to ensure effective coordination at the local level.
• The integration of humanitarian needs into the Communal Development Plans (PDC) has strengthened local coordination by bringing communities closer to key actors.
• Partnerships established with local NGOs have ensured a coordinated and efficient implementation of projects on the ground.
• National and local NGOs are now better represented within coordination mechanisms, supported by the creation of a dedicated Working Group on Localization.
• Communities actively participate in the design, implementation, and monitoring of projects funded by the Regional Humanitarian Fund for West and Central Africa (RHFWCA) in the six pilot municipalities.
• Feedback mechanisms have been put in place to ensure effective accountability to project beneficiaries.
• The inclusion of youth in the Flagship process and their representation in the CCC has been highly appreciated by young people, as it gives them the opportunity to contribute to addressing community issues.
• Women’s groups have proven to be a real pillar of community development through income-generating activities.
• The successful implementation of the Flagship initiative in pilot municipalities has sparked interest in other communes wishing to adopt the approach.