Denmark funds emergency response for the recent displacement crisis in Diffa, Niger

To provide immediate response to the urgent needs of those affected by the fighting and the insurgency in Niger, Denmark is supporting UNHCR with USD 1,000,000. Due to flexible funding from Denmark and other donors, UNHCR is able to respond instantly and efficiently to humanitarian emergencies across the world.

With the situation in the Lake Chad Basin continuing to deteriorate, and renewed fighting in Nigeria and Niger between the Boko Haram insurgency and government groups, an estimated 250,000 people have been displaced, mainly to the Diffa region in South-East Niger; 69,000 alone after the recent attacks reported in June. The majority of those displaced are from Bosso in Niger, with more than 140,000 internally displaced, according to the Government.

Denmark’s flexible funding is crucial to provide an early emergency response for those affected in Niger by the fighting. Denmark’s contribution will ensure that UNHCR and its partners can continue to provide urgently needed life-saving assistance and protection for the refugees, such as shelter, core relief items and medical aid, access to water and sanitation, as well as conducting health screenings. UNHCR is strengthening its community out-reach and prioritising registration as a first step in ensuring legal and physical protection. With a large part of the population being children, women and youth, mechanisms to assist SGBV survivors will be strengthened and efforts made to ensure a stable, peaceful environment for children and youth.

“UNHCR appreciates the Danish emergency fund as it enables UNHCR and its partners to immediately respond to sudden emergencies. In Niger, the Danish funding will ensure that UNHCR can continue to provide life-saving assistance and strengthen its protection efforts, with a focus on protecting youth and children from armed groups”, says Pia Prytz Phiri, UNHCR Regional Representative for Northern Europe.

Niger was listed last in UNDP’s 2015 Human Development Index, and suffers from poor infrastructure, chronic droughts, seasonal flooding and recurring epidemics. The Niger Government has generously maintained its open-door policy for refugees and humanitarian access, as well as supporting access to land and basic services, including health, education and livelihood opportunities, for refugees. Building resilience and maintaining peaceful coexistence between the host community and refugees are a priority for UNHCR in Niger.

As many host communities in south-eastern Niger are already hosting displaced persons from previous influxes and have no more capacity, more than 150,000 displaced persons (as of 30 April 2016) have been forced to settle along roads, suffering from irregular food supplies, with many of the children not being able to attend school. In May 2016 UNHCR started to relocate refugees from such road sites to refugee camps, fearing further insurgent attacks. In June 2016 UNHCR and partners distributed core relief items to 2,500 households and provided shelter kits to 500 displaced families. In addition, 500 refugees were transferred from villages close to the border to the Sayam Forage refugee camp, located 50 kilometers inland.

In 2015, Denmark ranked as UNHCR’s 9th largest donor with USD 73.2 million contributed, as well as being one of UNHCR’s top ten contributors of unearmarked funds. Denmark contributes with an emergency fund in the beginning of each year, which UNHCR distributes where the need is most urgent. This enables UNHCR to act immediately and simultaneously all over the world, whenever humanitarian emergencies occur.

Humanitarian needs have exploded the last decade, with more than 125 million people depending on the international community to survive. 65.3 million people have fled their homes, which is the highest number since the Second World War. Less than half of the UN humanitarian appeal was met for 2015.