UNHCR Niger
Month
“Never assume you know the communications eco-system – never think you know how people share information and which sources they trust better than community members themselves”.
These were the words I found myself repeating in South Sudan, whilst supporting the recent CDAC Network Communicating with Communities (CwC) training. The importance of understanding the communications and media ‘landscape’ of a context or country has been well established by the #commisaid community. It is a key activity in terms of practicing what we preach – namely: listening. As it is such an essential process, a significant amount of time is often dedicated to Information and Communications needs assessments during CwC trainings
From UNHCR Innovation’s perspective, learning directly from the people we’re innovating with and for is critical. Therefore, the Emergency Lab’s first missions to an operation include an initial scoping – a rapid communications assessment – to help us develop a better contextual understanding. In late July I travelled to Diffa, in Niger, to support the UNHCR operation and partners to strengthen their communication with communities – starting with a scoping. There, I discovered an unexpectedly diverse communications eco-system.
Unexpected? In Niger, I recognised that I only partly practice what I ‘teach’.
The ongoing repeated violent attacks by Boko Haram, that started in Nigeria and have spread across the Lake Chad basin, have caused multiple population displacements. As of 30th July, there were over 187,000 Nigerian refugees displaced to countries in the Lake Chad Basin region, with many hundreds of thousands internally displaced by fighting – including within the Diffa region, where the displaced population is estimated at over 240,000, including refugees, returnees and IDPs.
As the UNHAS flight flew from Niamey to Diffa – over several hours of flat semi-deserted Sahel – I was already pre-empting solutions for the team. What was going to be feasible in this low-infrastructure, low-tech context with limited communication channels? I was already assuming I knew the communications landscape – and at 7,000 metres I definitely wasn’t designing with refugees.
During my mission in Niger these assumptions were certainly challenged. Here are a couple of examples why:
For more information go to http://innovation.unhcr.org/diffa-niger-unexpectedly-diverse-communications-eco-system/
Peu souvent mentionnées mais étant pourtant primordiale dans le dispositif de protection des populations déplacées, des formations dispensées par l’UNHCR et d’autres Agences sœurs du Système des Nations Unies et ses partenaires (ONG nationales et internationales) à destination des forces de défenses et de sécurité (FDS) se tiennent régulièrement au Niger et plus particulièrement, en cette période, à Diffa. C’était notamment le cas il y a quelques jours, notamment les 22 et 23 Aout passés.
Droits humains, Droit International Humanitaire, Droit International des réfugiés, Ddroits de l’enfant sont autant de thèmes qui furent traités, en croisant cas pratiques et législations nationales, et internationales.
Dans un contexte sécuritaire sensible et avec des problématiques nouvelles pour les nombreux membres des forces et de défense et de sécurité, ce type de formation revêt toute son importance tel que le relevait un officier de la Police Nationale participant à la formation « l’accueil des personnes réfugiées s’est amélioré par rapport au début de la crise suite aux efforts des partenaires de l’Etat dans la gestion de cette crise humanitaire et l’intégration de ces questions de protection. Je souhaite que soit mise en place une formation continue basée essentiellement sur l’accueil des réfugiés».
Séance d’écoute et de discussion entre les équipes de protection de l’UNHCR et des femmes chefs de famille
Alors que pour répondre aux demandes d’appui au retour vers le Mali de 902 ménages réfugiés (4369 individus), l’UNHCR avait enclenché un nouveau processus de rapatriement facilité au mois de juillet 2016, le camp d’Abala, dans la région de Tillabery, vient d’accueillir en quelques jours près de 1600 nouveaux arrivants.
Des mouvements d’intensité faible mais continues restaient la norme depuis le début de l’année 2016. Un tel mouvement est donc inquiétant. Les nouveaux arrivants, principalement originaires des zones rurales aux nord d’Andremboukane, décrivent un haut niveau d’insécurité résultant de tensions intercommunautaires et affrontements entre groupes armés.
Pour les candidats au retour, observer l’évolution de la situation est aujourd’hui privilégié comme l’indique Edmond Clair Onana, chef de bureau de l’UNHCR à Abala : « pour le mois d’Aout nous avions 227 ménages de 1225 individus qui avaient émis l’intention de retourner mais suite cet afflux massif de nouveaux arrivants sur le camp nous enregistrons un nombre très élevé de demande de report de la date de retour. Il est de l’ordre de 95% ».
Suite à ce nouveau mouvement, le camp d’Abala devrait franchir la barre de 15,500 personnes soit un niveau jamais égalé depuis le début de la crise au nord Mali en 2012, tout comme celui du nombre de réfugiés maliens aujourd’hui au Niger, plus de 62,000.
Ms. Liz Ahua with Fatouma and her father at the Diffa Distance Education Centre, receiving her end of year exam result
Despite the gravity of the current emergency situation in the Diffa region, the UNHCR Regional Representative and Regional Refugee Coordinator for the Nigeria situation, Ms. Liz Ahua was motivated by what she saw as “an operation that pushed boundaries with innovative and creative solutions to removing obstacles, rather than facing challenges in the traditional way”.
Ms. Ahua visited the Diffa region of Niger from the 8th – 10th of August. The mission was accompanied by the UNHCR Niger Deputy Representative, Mr. Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde and the Director General for Civil Status and Refugees, Mr. Malangoni. During the mission, Ms. Ahua visited the Governor of the Diffa region to discuss the Government strategy in the region, and to express support and solidarity. Despite the difficulties faced by the Government, they maintain an open-door policy to those seeking protection. As remarked by Ms. Ahua, this is not always the case, “here in Niger you have a Government who is open to learning, they have an ear to listen and they are willing to consider what the community poses to them, this is not always the case in other countries, where Governments put up fences before they even listen to your cause, you are fortunate in Niger with such an excellent example”. The Government similarly expressed their gratitude for the support of the humanitarian community in facing this challenging situation. As emphasized by Mr. Malangoni of the DGEC-R, “the Government is grateful for the visit, it is essential that the message of the complexity of the situation and the efforts of the Government is shared at higher levels, while the population are so happy to hear of someone coming from far away to hear their stories”.
Ms. Liz Ahua and Mr. Abdouroauf Gnon-Konde arriving on mission at the Diffa airport on the 8th of Augus
During the mission, Ms. Ahua visited the Diffa Distance Education Centre, one of three education centres for Nigerian high school students, supported by UNHCR and COOPI. During the visit, 40 junior cycle students who recently were assisted to travel to Kano in Nigeria to complete their end of year exams were presented with their results, with scenes of joy amongst the students, tutors and parents alike. “This simple and inexpensive project removes vulnerable children from harm’s way, saving children from the jaws of radicalization” according to Ms. Ahua. For more information on the project, see: http://unhcrniger.tumblr.com/post/147088328514/positive-steps-forward-for-distance-education.
Ms. Ahua also praised other innovative projects which are ongoing in the region, such as the gas as domestic energy project, which will reach 20,000 vulnerable families in the region before the end of 2016. This project is innovative in that it provides solutions to multiple problems - environmental degradation, increasing the purchasing power of the population, while reducing protection risks, in particular regarding SGBV attacks against women and girls searching for firewood. Another project which began in 2014, and is ongoing with the support of the authorities is the urbanization project, which provides a long-term and sustainable solution as regards to access to land in a legal manner for vulnerable families, whilst also providing economic opportunities for the authorities of the communes involved.
On the second day, the mission visited the site of Gagamri on the RN1, where preparations were underway between the Government and UNHCR to voluntarily relocate Nigerian refugees to the refugee camp of Sayam Forage. Since the 8th of July, 1,961 refugees have been assisted to move to the camp, where they can be assured at least of basic assistance and protection. With over 240,000 displaced persons throughout the region, mainly living in precarious situations at spontaneous sites along the RN1, the Government is prioritizing the relocation of refugees to a safer environment, far from the insecure border areas close to the Komadougou River. As emphasized by the UNHCR Niger Deputy Representative, this process cannot be done alone, it depends on the State and most importantly on the refugees themselves, and the voluntariness of their decision to relocate. During a meeting with the beneficiaries in Gagamari, Ms. Ahua expressed solidarity with the refugees and the struggles they are facing.
Ms. Ahua discussing the relocation of Nigerian refugees with the UNHCR team and beneficiaires at the site of Gagamari on the Route Nationale 1.Further discussions were held with representatives of the many humanitarian organizations working in the region. As pointed out by Ms. Ahua, the Lake Chad Basin Crisis - despite its severity, remains one of the most under resourced emergencies. Partners expressed similar messages including the desperate need for additional funding, which is flexible enough to respond to the complex and ever changing context in Diffa. They emphasized the need to find a formula for the region that works, balancing emergency and long-term assistance, creating the possibility of self-reliance for the displaced and vulnerable host populations. As pointed out by Mr. Gnon-Konde, “beneficiaries want opportunities to provide for themselves, they used to do things for themselves, they were independent. Nobody wants to depend on aid”. The departing message of Ms. Ahua was that she was touched by the “drive for creative but simple solutions, with a lasting impact on the lives of the beneficiaries”, with a promise to raise the issues presented to her at the regional and global level, in an effort to mobilize funds and save lives in the region.
Signature des VRF – Refugies Maliens d’Intikane, avant de partir au Mali
Crée en avril 2013 à la suite d’une relocalisation réussie d’environ 5,048 personnes accompagnées de leurs animaux, la Zone d’Accueil des Réfugiés (ZAR) d’Intikane située dans le département de Tillia à 10 heures de route de Niamey la capitale. Au 31 juillet 2016, la ZAR accueille une population de 18,203 individus composés principalement d’éthnies Touareg (97%), Peulhs (2.8%) et Haoussa (0.2%). Toute cette population est nomade et provient des localités maliennes d’Anderanboukane, Ansongo, Abeibara, Gao, Kidal, Inekar et Menaka et pratique l’élevage comme activité principale. Pour plus d’informations d’Intikane, voir : http://unhcrniger.tumblr.com/post/95717877574/new-report-on-intikane-refugee-hosting-area
Suite à la signature des accords de paix au Mali, et du fait du long séjour au Niger, en mai 2016, 9 ménages de 52 individus avaient manifesté auprès de la Direction Générale de l’Etat Civil, de la Migration et des réfugiés, leurs intentions de retour au Mali, malgré la situation précaire.
Des informations sur la situation sécuritaire et services disponibles dans les zones de retour ont été partagées avec les réfugiés en vue de leur permettre de prendre des décisions de retour éclairées lors du counseling de protection fait par le HCR. Ensuite, l’identification des cas de malades chroniques et de mise à jour et documentation des enfants nés au Niger ou scolarisés a été menée par le HCR sur la ZAR. A cette occasion, 10 autres ménages de 64 individus se sont ajoutés sur la liste des candidats au retour facilité portant ainsi les chiffres à 19 ménages de 116 individus pour lesquels une mission d’assistance a été organisée les 5 et 6 Aout 2016.
A la fin de l’opération, seuls 9 ménages de 53 individus tous d’éthnie Touareg ont maintenu leur intention de retourner au Mali et bénéficié de l’assistance. Les autres ménages ont renoncé au motif que la situation sécuritaire dans leurs zones de retour n’est plus favorable.
Parmi les bénéficiaires du rapatriement facilité, un seul cas de maladie chronique a été identifié et référé au CSI ou il a reçu un appui en médicament pour 3 mois. 8 enfants nés au Niger ont tous reçu leurs actes de naissance et 8 autres enfants scolarisés ont reçu leurs certificats de scolarité.
Au total en 2016 (janvier – aout), le HCR a facilité le rapatriement volontaire de 2,147 réfugiés Maliens. Dans le même temps, le Niger a reçu près de 5,000 nouveaux arrivants pendant la premier 6 mois de 2016. La population totale des réfugiés maliens à la fin de juillet 2016 est 60,818 – le nombre le plus élevé jamais enregistré au Niger.
Il en ressort que la stabilisation de la situation sécuritaire au nord Mali reste l’élément déterminant d’un véritable processus de retour.