Niger

Overview

Insecurity stemming from crises in neighbouring countries impacts populations in Niger. In Diffa region, where a state of emergency has been in place since 2015, Boko Haram continues to carry out sporadic attacks on civilians and against the authorities, whilst since September 40,000 Nigerian refugees have crossed the border seeking safety in west Niger.?Cross-border violence and intercommunal tensions also affect Tillaberi and Tahoua regions, leading to significant population displacement. ?Since September 2018, the Burkina Faso border area has seen increasing attacks by jihadist armed groups against the local population and authorities, leading to States of Emergency declared in several departments. ?

Insecurity also continues to limit food and humanitarian access, amplifying the effects of drought and seasonal floods. In Niger, more than 1.2 million people are expected to face IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) or worse between June and August 2019, the latest figures available.?

Latest Developments

On 24 April Niger reported a polio outbreak that has affected two children in the regions of Niamey and Tillaberi. Last December Niger announced the end of a polio outbreak that had lasted 24 months. This new circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus transmission is not linked to the previous outbreak. Niger has suspended its polio mass vaccination campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The poliovirus will likely continue to circulate given no high-quality immunisation campaigns can be conducted in a timely manner. Weak routine vaccination coverage, vaccine refusal, and difficult access to some locations in Niger have also made it challenging to ensure that all children are immunised.?

ACAPS' team is daily monitoring the impact of COVID-19. Find more information related to the outbreak here.