UNHCR Niger

Le 21 mai 2014, le bureau de l’UNHCR de Ouallam, à travers son chef de bureau Mr Natoy Allah Romain Assirangar, a reçu, des mains du Préfet de Ouallam et du Président de la Fédération des Comités de Gestion des Établissements Scolaires de la Commune de Ouallam, un « Témoignage de Satisfaction » pour le soutien apporté aux écoles de Mangaize et Ouallam. Ces écoles accueillent des enfants réfugiés maliens. En matière d’éducation, comme dans ses autres domaines d’intervention, l’UNHCR Niger s’appuie sur l’approche communautaire comme levier visant la coexistence pacifique et la protection des réfugiés. En ce sens, recevoir ce témoignage de la part des acteurs communautaires de l’éducation de la commune de Ouallam revêt un caractère particulier qui vient renforcer l’UNHCR Niger dans sa stratégie de mise en place de dynamiques inclusives

Chadian Refugee Ousmane Wardougou is reading Petroleum and Energy Engineering at the Niamey Centre for Engineering and Training in Petroleum and Energy Techniques (CIFOTEPE SA)
When war broke out in his native Anderamboukane village located in the Malian Azawad northern region, Mohamed Bilal who was already reading science of education at the University of Bamako had no option but to join his fleeing family to neighboring Niger where they lived at the Abala refugee camp.

”To me and most of my friends who were forced to abandon studies, all was bleak before us” he says, “but Alhamdoulilah (thanks be to God), in August 2013 the DAFI scholarship offer was announced by UNHCR Niger for studies in Senegal ”, recalls the 25 year old Bilal who is currently studying project management at “école des cadres” in Niamey. He says even though in the end most of them were not successful at the selection process for the German programme, UNHCR gave them a second chance and offered them local scholarships. Today two of them are comfortably pursuing higher studies. “The scholarship has rekindled hope and joy in my life and I will evidently serve as a good example for my fellow brothers and sisters who are in the camps or have precipitated their return to Mali”, he explains with mixed feelings. Voluntary repatriation has abruptly ended the education of thousands of Malian pupils and students at the behest of their parents.

To another Malian compatriot, the scholarship offer is a dream comes true because since his arrival in Niger, he had pressurized UNHCR and the authorities of Niger for a scholarship to continue his studies. “I received many unfulfilled promises until June 6, 2013 when finally the UNHCR Representative made it a reality after a long wait. And today, my patience has paid up; today I have a UNHCR scholarship; thanks be to God”. According to Mahamane Moussa 22, the scholarship has impacted his life very much. “If by the grace of God I return to my country one day, I will certainly contribute to the development of my country with the education I am receiving in my country of asylum.” concludes Mahamane who is studying project management in the same institution as Bilal.

Both Bilal and Mahamane are not only concerned but excited to sensitize their fellow compatriots in exile on the merits of continuing with their education and wish that UNHCR should facilitate this initiative for them during the holidays.

Even though opportunities for pursuing higher education are extremely limited, UNHCR managed to provide scholarships for few Malians and other refugees of other nationalities. So far, fifteen undergraduate refugees are currently studying in higher institutions on UNHCR scholarships in Niger. Few Chadian refugees benefit from the German DAFI programme. Prospects for graduate refugees are not all gleam as the socio-economic conditions are very difficult in Niger, one of the poorest countries on earth, which put limitations on opportunities for successful local integration. UNHCR is also engaged in advocacy to promote the implementation of the ECOWAS protocols on the freedom of movement in order to facilitate the issuance of identity cards / passports to refugees to improve on their chances of employment in the sub-region.

Malian (refugees) students: Mahammane & Bilal with UNHCR education staff, Muthoni © UNHCR

Le United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) est un service aérien mis en place le Programme Alimentaire Mondial (PAM)dont le mandat et de gérer l’ensemble du transport aérien (passagers et cargo) pour les activités humanitaires et les programmes de développement. Présent au Niger depuis 2008, l'UNHAS est bien plus qu’un simple soutien aux opérations, c’est un maillon essentiel de la chaîne humanitaire et de développement. Son service va peut-être même au-delà.
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