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Humans of Assamaka

Niger

Niger is affected by violence and displacement around its border regions, which are part of the central Sahel and the Lake Chad basin.

Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali share a border region in the central Sahel where state and non-state groups operate against a backdrop of high levels of poverty, climate change, rapid population growth, and increased competition for dwindling resources. 

Southeastern Niger is part of the Lake Chad Basin, where violence that began in Nigeria in 2009 spread. The region was already extremely vulnerable due to social inequalities, poverty, poor infrastructure and recurrent droughts. MSF runs health programmes throughout Niger. 
 

Key Activities

Our activities in 2023 in Niger

Data and information from the International Activity Report 2023.

MSF in Niger in 2023 In the aftermath of the political crisis that unfolded in July 2023 in Niger, which compounded pre-existing humanitarian needs in the country, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) continued to provide vital healthcare and support in affected areas.
Niger IAR map 2023

During the year, the security situation remained volatile in areas along the borders with Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Mali. There were numerous violent incidents, including kidnappings, assassinations, and casualties from improvised explosive devices in Tillabéry region, in the Lake Chad basin, and to a lesser extent in Maradi region in the south.

Following the military coup on 26 July, sanctions, such as the closure of land and air borders and the suspension of regional trade and banking relations, exacerbated food insecurity and made it even more difficult for people to access healthcare.

In Assamaka, several international NGOs withdrew, leaving thousands of migrants expelled from Algeria to fend for themselves in the desert of northern Niger, deprived of shelter, healthcare, protection and the basic necessities. In response, MSF distributed water and essential relief items such as hygiene and cooking kits, and provided mental health support, while publicly denouncing the appalling conditions migrants were forced to live in.

Despite restrictions on access imposed on humanitarian NGOs, as well as border closures which severely disrupted the supply chain, particularly for nutrition products, we continued offering comprehensive care in hospitals and integrated health centres that we already support in Tillabéri, Maradi, Zinder, Tahoua and Diffa regions. This included maternity, paediatric and nutrition services. We also continued to build and upgrade facilities in these regions as part of our long-term partnership with the Nigerien health authorities to improve access to healthcare for people living in vulnerable circumstances.

 

In 2023
 
Medical and mental healthcare for people displaced by violence in the Lake Chad area.
Lake Chad Crisis

Lake Chad: Populations fleeing Boko Haram violence

Crisis Update 20 Aug 2015
 
Niger

critical situation in Diffa as hunger gap and malaria season approach

Project Update 14 Jul 2015
 
Niger: thousands facing precarious conditions after being forced to leave Lake Chad
Photo Story

Around Lake Chad: People living in fear

1 Jul 2015
Photo Story
 
Chad - Medical care for people fleeing Boko Haram attacks
Refugees, IDPs and people on the move

Lake Chad: Waves of displacement and fear

Project Update 19 Jun 2015
 
Meningitis epidemics in Lazaret centre in Niamey
Niger

Meningitis epidemic on the decline

Crisis Update 10 Jun 2015
 
Niger

“They need somewhere to settle in peace to regain their dignity”

Voices from the Field 9 Jun 2015
 
Meningitis

Vaccine shortages causing delay in the fight against meningitis

Voices from the Field 27 May 2015
 
Meningitis Epidemic in Niger
Niger

‘It was chaos – the hospital was full to bursting’

Voices from the Field 21 May 2015
 
Nigeria

1200 Nigerian refugees flee fighting in Lake Chad and return to Nigeria

Crisis Update 12 May 2015

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17 December 2018