The recent escalation of violence along the Niger-Burkina Faso border is displacing thousands and compounding the already existing humanitarian burden in Niger, needing swift interventions.
Development Diaries reports that the escalating violence by non-state armed groups in Burkina Faso has forced thousands of Burkinabé civilians to seek refuge in neighbouring Niger.
We understand that recent attacks in late May and early June have led to significant population movements into Téra, Tillabéri region, exacerbating the already critical humanitarian situation in the country.
In the last week of May and the first week of June, non-state armed groups launched attacks targeting civilians in the Mansila, Kantcari, and Sempelga communities of Burkina Faso, causing s surge in forced displacement into Niger.
Over 3,068 Burkinabé asylum seekers were reported to have fled to Téra in Niger’s Tillabéri region in June.
Tillabéri is now home to at least 153,400 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 36,552 Burkinabé asylum seekers, significantly straining local resources and the resilience of host communities.
The influx of displaced individuals has exacerbated food insecurity, making nutritional support a critical priority, especially for malnourished children.
Additionally, many newly arrived asylum-seekers lack adequate shelter and sanitation facilities, which are essential for maintaining health and dignity.
Niger is the main country of asylum in West Africa, hosting an estimated 700,000 forcibly displaced people populations in search of international protection.
Development Diaries calls on humanitarian organisations, donors and other development partners to assist in providing help to displaced communities now sheltered in Niger, to help mitigate possible growing tensions between asylum seekers and host communities.
Source: UNHCR
Photo source: rfi
