Newly arrived Malian refugees settle in to Tabareybarey Refugee Camp, Tillabéri Region
Aliou Ag Ibrahi, his wife Rakaye Ahamed and their three children, newly setteled in Tabareybarey refugee camp, Niger (Photo: Louise Donovan, UNHCR Niger)
Exhausted but relieved, the first convoy of new Malian refugees arrived from the border area of Inates to the Tabareybarey refugee camp on Wednesday the 13th of January. They are the first of approximately 2,050 newly arrived refugees who are being assisted in relocating from the border area to the refugee camp. They were warmly greeted by the Camp Manager and humanitarian partners, and immediately given water and a hot meal, after their 4 hour journey. Some of the new arrivals were sick and received immediate medical attention, while a number of separated children were identified, and assistance provided by local protection NGO, Dicko.
“My family and I had to flee from Mali, there was too much violence – the conflict was between different ethnic groups” said Aliou Ag Ibrahim (pictured above), “we were at Inates [close to the Mali border] for about 5 months, we had no shelter and slept outdoors. We are happy to arrive at the camp, we have our own shelter now, the people here gave us a warm welcome when we arrived, my family is safe now”.
UNHCR, with the Nigerien National Eligibility Commission (CNE) are currently carrying out the registration of the 2,050 new arrivals. On the 18th of January, 662 people had been successfully transferred and registered, with more convoys to follow in the coming days. This process includes an interview, a health screening, vaccinations for those requiring them, and interviews to determine protection needs and risks. Partners operating in the camp, including Dicko, APBE, ACTED, QRC, Care International, Plan International, the WFP, and the Luxembourg Red Cross are all contributing to the successful registration and peaceful integration of the new arrivals.
Since the second half of 2015, thousands of new refugees from Mali have been arriving in Niger (for more info see: http://unhcrniger.tumblr.com/post/134067463389/les-familles-nont-dautres-choix-que-de). The current number of registered Malian refugees in Niger is 56,012 (end Dec 2015). However, with the registration of the aforementioned refugees, plus additional refugees awaiting registration in the region of Tahoua, this number is expected to rise, exceeding the highest levels previously recorded at the height of the conflict in Mali in 2012.
| 1556 newly arrived refugees confirmed at Agando |
 | 1556 nouvelles arrivées de réfugiés confirmées à Agando | An emergency assessment mission comprising UNHCR, CNE (Government), IEDA-Relief, IRC, APBE, ICRC dispatched to Agando in the Tahoua region has confirmed the arrival of 282 households totaling 1,556 persons including 1075 children. These families are reported to be hailing from Tamalet, Inekar, Andremboukane and Menaka. They left Mali several weeks ago following renewed instability in the north of the country. Following testimonies, these families are currently awaiting the arrival of many of their family members some of whom are still trailing behind with their livestock to Niger, before heading to the Intikane refugee area. An emergency assistance in water and health has been provided. The WFP begins food distribution today Thursday June 19. |
| Une mission d’évaluation d’urgence composée de l’UNHCR, CNE (Gouvernement) IEDA Relief, IRC, APDE, CICR et déployée à Agando, dans la région de Tahoua, a confirmé l’arrivée de 282 ménages pour un total de Suite à l’alerte lancée par les autorités locales de Tillia, la mission d’évaluation rapide déployée en urgence à Agando confirme l’arrivée de 245 familles pour un total de 1556 personnes dont 1054 enfants. Ces familles proviennent de Tamalet, Inekar, Andremboukane et Menaka. Elles ont commencé à quitter le Mali il y a plusieurs semaines suite à la recrudescence de l’instabilité dans le nord du pays. Toujours selon les témoignages recueillis, ces familles attendent maintenant l’arrivée de nombreux de leurs proches, dont certains accompagnent leur bétail jusqu’au Niger, avant de se diriger vers la Zone d’Accueil des Réfugiés d’Intikane. Une assistance d’urgence en eau et en santé a été mise en place. Le PAM commence une distribution alimentaire à partir de ce jeudi 19 juin. |
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