FRATERNITE-TRAVAIL-PROGRES
PRIME MINISTER OFFICE
HUMANITARIAN COORDINATION UNIT
Note on the participation of H.E the Prime Minister, Head of
Government at the High Level meeting on the humanitarian
consequences of Boko Haram actions in countries
bordering the Lake Chad Basin.
New York, September 25th, 2015
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I-
Context of Diffa
The armed attacks of Boko Haram in northern Nigeria, have resulted in a
significant movement of people within the country itself and to neighboring
countries such as Niger, Chad and Cameroon. Thus, tens of thousands of
people have crossed the Nigerian border seeking safer places in the Diffa
region. These forced movements have increased from September 2014 with
Mallam Fatori, Damaturi, Dutchi and Damassak attacks in Nigeria and those
on Bosso, Diffa as well as in the islands of Lake Chad in Niger.
At the date of August 5th, 2015, the Regional Directorate of Civil Status
and of Refugees of Diffa region has identified 135 sites, 13821 displaced
people in Nigeria of which (94,152 refugees and 44,169 returnees), 46 988
IDP identified in 34 villages. The total number of displaced people in Diffa
region is of 185,309 for a global population of 593,821 people. Thus, more
than one person out of three is a displaced one in Diffa region.
These people are welcomed in a context of increased vulnerability, due
to the large cereal and forage deficit recorded during the 2014 crop year.
Thus, 405 villages have been unprofitable upon 606 agricultural villages of
the area; the forage deficit was in the order of 1.8 million tons of dry matter
that is 62% of the needs, the food insecure population was estimated to
156,480 people, the rate of children in global acute malnutrition situations
was estimated to 23.5%.
Unfortunately the 2015 crop year promises to be more difficult than the
2014 one in Diffa region given the security constraints related to Boko
Haram abuses.
These latter have seriously handicapped the socio-economic activities in
Diffa area. According to a short assessment of Diffa region, the damages and
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Cabinet du Premier Ministre, BP 893 Niamey, Niger, tel : (00227) 20722699/(00227)20722591
losses caused by the actions of the sect Boko Haram between January and
July 2015 are estimated to over 19 billion FCFA that is over 31 million
Dollars.
II-
The undertaken actions by the Government
and humanitarian partners
1- Emergency humanitarian assistance
Towards this humanitarian crisis, the Government and humanitarian
partners have provided appropriate answers to Nigeria displaced people,
and to the affected indigenous population. The Government strategy in the
management of Nigeria displaced, IDPs and affected indigenous people is
the combination of the camp as well as camp out management, with a
humanitarian aid not based on the status but on vulnerability.
Forty humanitarian organizations work alongside with state structures
in Diffa region. This is in particular the United Nations Agencies, the
components of the International Movement of the Red Cross and the Red
Crescent as well as national and international NGOs. Appropriate
mechanisms have been established to facilitate the coordination and the
management of the humanitarian crisis prevailing in Diffa region.
These responses were possible by funding humanitarian projects from
various donors. In particular through the emergency fund of the United
Nations, UNOCHA was one of the catalysts of this mobilization.
Thus, between December 2014 and August 2015, it is more than 15
billion CFA francs that is 25 million dollars that have been mobilized in
humanitarian response for Diffa region of which about 3 billion on
Government own funds.
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Cabinet du Premier Ministre, BP 893 Niamey, Niger, tel : (00227) 20722699/(00227)20722591
But this mobilization remains insufficient for the needs expressed in part
of the emergency plan for Diffa region which is of sensibly 47 billion FCFA
that is 78 million dollars.
Additional efforts must be made by donors in particular to facilitate
access to food, adequate shelter, health care, water and education which are
essential goods and services to the survival of this population.
2- Protection of displaced persons and those deprived of
liberty
The Government of Niger has made of the enforcement of the refugee
law as well as the International Humanitarian Law a priority. Thus it
granted asylum to Nigeria displaced people, and to date no refugee has
been discharged from the Niger territory.
People deprived from liberty in connection with the armed conflict in
Diffa region are treated with dignity and receive food rations and health
care. They also receive visits from the International Committee of the Red
Cross as well as from the representatives of Human Rights organizations.
3- Safety of persons and goods
Niger is an island of peace in a sub-area characterized by conflicts and
violence. Despite Boko Haram sporadic actions in some localities in Diffa
region, Niger is the safeguard against an attempt to destabilize the West
African sub-region. This positive result in the fight against Boko Haram is
achieved through:
 A strong commitment of the Government both at the national,
regional as well as international level to fight against the forces of evil
and promote peace and stability,
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Cabinet du Premier Ministre, BP 893 Niamey, Niger, tel : (00227) 20722699/(00227)20722591

To the important means put at disposal of the defense and security
forces in particular in the fight against Boko Haram. Thus tens of
billions FCFA were mobilized from State own funds between 2014
and 2015.
 An exemplary military cooperation especially with the countries
bordering Lake Chad Basin
The Boko Haram nebula is weakened and will soon be beheaded.
But this fight cannot be won without a strong military cooperation with
all states and substantial resources.
III-
Expectations of the Government from the
New York meeting
1- The strengthening of humanitarian aid funding to deal with the
urgent humanitarian needs,
2- An advocacy support to help Niger to mobilize substantial military
resources in the fight against Boko Haram,
3- Promote the stabilization of Diffa region as well as the economic
recovery by funding:
 The income generating projects in favor of youth and women,
 Support for agricultural production, livestock and fisheries,
 Funding for community stabilization projects,
 Strengthening community based infrastructures (education,
water, health care).
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Cabinet du Premier Ministre, BP 893 Niamey, Niger, tel : (00227) 20722699/(00227)20722591