Attachments
HIGHLIGHTS
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64,654 children with severe wasting were admitted for treatment between January and March 2024. However, by mid-March, 33% of thehealth centres were out of stock and Severe Acute Malnutrition service was interrupted.
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Since January, Niger has recorded 1,063 cases of diphtheria, resultingin 47 deaths (case fatality rate: 4.04%). Additionally, 1,012 cases of measles have been reported, resulting in one fatality. The meningitis outbreak has reported 1,000 cases and 66 deaths since January (casefatality rate:6.6%).
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22,427 individuals gained access to safe drinking water, while 64,424 people were provided with critical WASH supplies (including hygiene items and sensitization) and services, thanks to the efforts of WASH Cluster partners. Additionally, 13,326 individuals gained access to latrines.
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During the reporting period, 2,186 cases of Gender-Based Violence were identified, with 650 of these receiving case management. This included 373 cases of physical assault, 167 cases of rape, 345 cases of denial of resources, 76 cases of child marriage, 796 cases of psychological violence, and 50 cases of sexual assault.
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937 primary and secondary schools remain closed nationwide, affecting 73,876 students (35,460 girls). Tillaberi is the region most affected with 879 of schools closed affecting 70,566 students (33,872 girls).
SITUATION OVERVIEW AND HUMANITARIAN NEEDS
Niger faces a range of shocks, including climate-related disasters (such as floods), health epidemics, security challenges, and a migration crisis. Additionally, the country's capacity to bounce back from these adversities is hindered by a high poverty rate of 44%. The aftermath of a military coup in July 2023, which led to the imposition of political and economic sanctions, has further exacerbated the situation. It is estimated that 4.3 million people, including 2.4 million children, will be in need of humanitarian assistance in Niger in 2024.
The pervasive insecurity complicates the delivery of aid to those affected. The regions of Diffa, Maradi, Tillaberi, and Tahoua, continue to suffer from the repercussions of armed conflict.
Insecurity caused by non-state armed group actions has resulted in the displacement of over 640,000 persons (UNHCR).In addition, 3.4 million people (13% of the population) will be in crisis or emergency of food insecurity between June and August 2024 (severity).6 This represents an increase of 379,000 people compared to the period of June-August 2023. While no district has been identified as being in emergency, 22 districts are projected to have more than 20% of their population experiencing severe food insecurity between June and August 2024.
UNICEF estimates that an additional 100,000 children will be affected by severe wasting if funding and supply importation challenges remain the same. This increase could be mitigated by supporting the response capacity of the Food Security Cluster, including social safety nets / cash transfer interventions.
To date, UNICEF and WFP have only been able to ensure 28% and 25% respectively of the needs for wasting treatment in 2024. As requested by the Ministry of Health, some NGOs used their limited ready-to-use therapeutic foodbuffer stock for immediate response to alleviate the therapeutic supply gap. However, the Nutrition sector is facing important funding and logistics challenges which are preventing continued services.
Supply importation via the only authorized itinerary (Burkina Faso) remained a key bottleneck in the first quarter of 2024, leading to at least 33% of health centres nationwide facing therapeutic supply shortage and Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) service interruption by mid-March. Stocks of therapeutic milk and essential medications for children suffering from severe wasting with medical complications are very limited, but this last-resort service level remained active.
Regarding the continuity of education, 9377 primary and secondary schools are closed in Diffa, Maradi, Tahoua and Tillaberi regions, (compared to 987 schools in 2023 during the same period), affecting 73,876 students (35,460 girls). In the Tillaberi region alone, 879 primary and secondary schools have remained closed (93.4% ofthe national total), depriving 70,566 students (48% girls) of their right to education. Despite the political will and mobilization of education partners through the Education Cluster, the process of reopening closed schools remains long and complex. 32 schools have been effectively reopened, while 75 have been relocated. These efforts have benefited 13,394 students (6,563 girls).