Niger

Why we are there

Niger suffers from a complex mix of structural and contextual crises, ranging from chronic food insecurity and malnutrition to disease epidemics, natural disasters, growing competition over limited resources, and spillover from conflict and insecurity in neighbouring states – all while simultaneously acting as a destination and transit country for large populations of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.

What we do

DRC operates in five regions of Niger: Tillaberi since 2014, Diffa since 2016, Maradi since 2019, and Dosso and Taouha since 2022. These are the regions in which the inhabitants are among the most vulnerable and at risk of violations of their rights. Several programs are implemented through trans-border initiatives with Mali and Burkina Faso.

DRC supports individuals, households, communities and authorities in the sectors of Protection, Shelter and Settlement, Food Security and Economic Recovery, and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding.

DRC is part of the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) NGO consortium, operating in the country to provide 3 months emergency lifesaving assistance to newly displaced persons and their host communities. Within the RRM, DRC provides shelter, food and non-food items and protection services. In 2021, DRC also began to integrate Local Authorities and Local NGOs in disaster preparedness, identification of needs and provision of emergency response through capacity building and transfer of commodities and funds. To complement the 3-month RRM, DRC also implements a longer response for the most vulnerable IDPs and host communities to strengthen their capacities to recover from the shocks of displacements and conflict, and to improve their resilience to future shocks through the distribution of additional items and support to livelihoods.

To improve the protective environment of the population, DRC monitors protection and conflict risks and incidents, and provides individuals with psychological first aid, psychosocial support, access to civil documentation, awareness-raising, protection assistance and referrals. To contribute to peacebuilding efforts and prevent inter-community tension, DRC conducts humanitarian mediation and dialogue, peaceful coexistence activities, and inclusive governance programmes. DRC also supports the capacities of Duty Bearers to carry out their mandate to protect civilians.

Contributing to the Mixed Migration Mechanism Monitoring Initiative (4Mi), DRC participates in this initiative which tracks, researches, and analyzes the risks faced by migrants in transit through Niger.

Finally, DRC is involved in national coordination of the Protection sector by co-leading the Protection Cluster in Niger and providing support and trainings to other humanitarian and state actors in the areas of Protection and protection mainstreaming. DRC is also actively engaged in the Access working groups and provides trainings on Humanitarian Access throughout the country.