Niger: Urbanization project

Refugee and local masons training in specialised construction techniques in Chetimari, Diffa, Niger, as part of the Urbanization Project. Over 3,000 people are being trained and provided with employment through the various stages of the project

Urbanization Project: Facilitating Displaced Families’ Access to Land for Sustainable Housing

In the eastern region of Diffa, which hosts over 250,000 displaced people, UNHCR is working closely with local authorities and communities to provide legal access to land for displaced families, while contributing to improve the local economy.

The authorities are creating conditions necessary to access land and housing in a legal manner, while providing assistance for the creation of sustainable housing for the most vulnerable families.

Half of the land parcels are distributed to displaced families and their hosts while the other half are sold by the local authorities or used for public infrastructure, benefitting the local economy. The income generated is also reinvested into basic social services.

Following the success of the first phase of the project (2014 to 2016), the second phase launched in late 2016, involved the construction of housing for the most vulnerable beneficiaries. This phase had multiple benefits including not only the provision of sustainable housing, but also the creation of employment for the local population, as well as refugees and internally displaced populations.

By the end of 2016, there were a total of 5,000 land parcels created in seven different municipalities in the Diffa region. To date, over 2,000 land parcels have been distributed to vulnerable families, whilst the construction of sustainable long-term housing continues.

For the second phase of the project (2017 to 2018), an additional 6,000 parcels will be developed and it is planned to construct 4,000 houses. The project will provide employment in the region – approximately 3,000 local and displaced people will be trained and employed in the various stages of the project. National training workshops present in the communes will also specialise in architecture skills.