Thousands of refugees from Nigeria have sought refuge in the villages of southeastern Niger. They are often hosted by families they did not know before they arrived.
“These refugees can stay where they are. We will not force them into refugee camps" says Idder Adamou, the president of the government’s refugee agency CNE.
In Niger - both local communities and the government - are taking charge of the refugee assistance programme and the UN System is giving its helping hand: UNHCR is supporting the Civil Registry Office (picture below) to register the new arrivals while the World Food Programme is providing food which is distributed by volunteers of the Niger Red Cross.
©UNHCR / A. Omarou Timbo / 4 September 2013