IOM and UNHCR Urge for Continued International Support for Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Niger

Niamey/Dakar – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), emphasize the crucial need for continuous international aid to vulnerable internally displaced populations in Niger, migrant workers and family members, unaccompanied migrant children, refugees, and asylum seekers, particularly in light of recent developments.

As the situation in the country continues to unfold, the air and land border closure is significantly exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the country, greatly affecting the most vulnerable groups, especially stranded migrant workers, family members, unaccompanied migrant children, refugees, internally displaced individuals, and host communities. The growing shortage of essential goods and liquidity that severely impacts the economic activities risks worsening the already dire humanitarian situation and exacerbating the protection risks faced by the most vulnerable populations, including gender-based violence, child protection concerns, as well as heightening tensions between communities competing for already scarce resources.

It is imperative to ensure both immediate and enduring actions to continue addressing the humanitarian crisis within the country.

"The humanitarian situation in Niger demands sustained global commitment, especially in the face of ongoing challenges. Both IOM and UNHCR underscore the importance of continued international support and funding to address the urgent needs of vulnerable people including migrants. As we navigate these complex circumstances, it is vital that stakeholders and humanitarian actors work together to ensure the well-being and protection of vulnerable populations," says Paola Pace, IOM Niger Chief of Mission a.i.

Niger shares over 5,700 kilometers of borders with Burkina Faso, Mali, Algeria, Libya, Chad, Benin, and Nigeria. It lies on complex migration routes and is impacted by violence spilling over from neighboring Burkina Faso, Mali, and Nigeria, resulting in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of individuals. Moreover, many migrants en route to or returning from North Africa as well as refugees end up stranded in the desert, and some exploited by trafficking networks, urgently requiring humanitarian aid.

Niger currently hosts over 700,000 displaced, including refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons. Around 5,000 stranded migrants are awaiting voluntary return assistance to their country of origin in IOM’s centres located along migration routes while another 2,000 await assistance out of the centres. Moreover, in just the week spanning from August 8 to 14, UNHCR has registered via the protection monitoring mechanism over 2,000 refugees and asylum seekers fleeing conflict who arrived in the country.

"In these challenging times for Niger, the Nigerien population and host communities are in greater need of global solidarity. The nation is navigating a critical juncture in its history, while the ongoing instability in the subregion perpetuates migration including displacement. IOM and UNHCR, thanks to the support of the international community, will intensify their joint efforts to provide assistance and aid Niger in addressing this multifaceted situation. The protection risks during this crisis could be exacerbated and it’s vital that we continue our humanitarian and resilience efforts,” says Emmanuel Gignac, UNHCR Representative in Niger.

Despite the challenging ongoing political crisis, IOM and UNHCR are committed to unwavering support to ensure that the delivery of humanitarian assistance reaches those mostly in need. We emphasize the vital need for international solidarity with the most vulnerable populations at this juncture. This entails advocating for unrestricted movement of migrant workers, families, refugees, and asylum seekers, and of humanitarian personnel and supplies, as well as maintaining consistent financial support.

For more information, please contact:

For IOM:

• In Niamey: Aissatou Sy, [email protected]  
•  In Dakar: Halima Djigo, [email protected]  

For UNHCR

• In Niamey: Antonia Vadala, [email protected]  
• In Dakar: Alpha Seydi Ba, [email protected]