Highlights

• In April, several severe security incidents were registered in Diffa, including suicide attacks and mine explosions, causing 8 deaths. As the result, the government has increased military operations at the border with Nigeria. Additional measures are being taken, including the closing down of 2 major markets along the route nationale 1 and the government’s planned evacuation of 8,500 people (local residents, displaced people and refugees) from 7 villages along the Komadougou river towards safer sites.

• UNICEF is continuing to scale-up its advocacy efforts to respond to gaps in other highly vulnerable localities, particularly in Nguigmi.

• The Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) with IRC continues to provide emergency assistance to displaced and highly vulnerable populations in the region. The last of four multisectoral assessments (MSA) were conducted in Nguigmi department. RRM also assisted 595 most vulnerable households with NFI in 3 villages of Nguigmi department. Water trucking continues for IDPs and refuges in Kitchiandi, while a more durable water solution is being finalized through a partnership with ACTED.

• Two epidemics continue to affect Niger, measles and meningitis (Meningococcus C and W135). At epidemiological week 17, measles continued to increase with a total of 1,767 cases and 6 deaths registered, with most cases registered in Niamey, Tillabery, Maradi, Tahoua. A vaccination response is ongoing, with joint efforts from humanitarian actors and the Ministry of Health.

• Meningitis C cases are decreasing, with 1,355 cases and 92 deaths reported on week 17, particularly in Niamey, Dosso, Tillabéry. Vaccination is ongoing in all affected departments.

SITUATION IN NUMBER

MAY 2016

14,338 Children affected by SAM in Diffa region out of 400,794 Children affected by SAM nationwide (HRP 2016)
82,524 Refugees and 31,524 Returnees from Nigeria (DREC, 5 May 2016)
62,726 Est. refugee and returnee children
69,964 Est. internally displaced children out of 127,208 Internally displaced people (Source DREC, 5th May 2016, partial data, covering 51 sites out of 135, registration still ongoing)

Le Représentant de l’Agence des Nations Unies pour les réfugiés (HCR) au Tchad a procédé au lancement des célébrations de la journée mondiale du réfugié 2016.

N’Djamena, 1er juin 2016 (UNHCR) – Le démarrage de cette campagne mondiale de mobilisation pour la cause des réfugiés à travers la signature de la pétition marque aussi le début, au Tchad, d’une série d’évènements publics et médiatiques dont le clou aura lieu le 20 juin, journée mondiale du réfugié, au ministère des affaires étrangères.

Le Tchad abrite plus de 380 mille réfugiés dont la grande majorité, 80 pourcent, vivent dans le pays depuis plus d’une décennie. «Ensemble avec les réfugiés pour un avenir partagé», c’est le thème retenu par le HCR et la Commission Nationale d’Accueil et de Réinsertion des Réfugiés et des Rapatriés. Aussi lors de la cérémonie symbolique de signature de la pétition, le premier responsable du HCR au Tchad, Jose Antonio Canhandula, a réuni autour de lui, des représentants des réfugiés et de la CNARR, des responsables d’agences des Nations Unies, des organisations internationales et des diplomates ainsi que les médias.

La sensibilisation pour la signature de la pétition à travers la campagne #WithRefugees (#AvecLesRéfugiés) se poursuivra jusqu’en septembre lorsque le document sera remis à l’Assemblée Générale de l’ONU lors du sommet mondial sur les réfugiés et les migrants.
Le HCR souhaite susciter un sentiment d’empathie et de compréhension à l’égard des réfugiés tout en rappelant au grand public les raisons pour lesquelles ils ont besoin de protection.
Le HCR Tchad entend par ailleurs souligner que la prise en charge des réfugiés et d’autres personnes forcés de fuir leurs domiciles ne revenait pas uniquement aux humanitaires, encore moins au HCR seul même si ce dernier a un mandat de protection de l’Assemblée Générale des réfugiés, en particulier, et d’autres populations déplacées de force.

Exprimant sa reconnaissance pour la mobilisation en faveur des réfugiés au Tchad, le porte-parole des réfugiés vivant à N’Djamena s’est félicité du grand nombre de représentants de la communauté humanitaire et internationale que sont les diplomates et les chefs d’organisation humanitaires et de développement.

Sachant que le terme « réfugiés » est utilisé au senslarge pour désignertoute personne ayant été déplacée de force, le Représentant du HCR a indiqué qu’il est important de ne pas faire d’amalgame surtout dans un contexte de crise migratoire mondiale, tout en exhortant à davantage d’assistance appropriée et spécifique pour les besoins de chaque catégorie de populations vulnérables (réfugiés, déplacés internes ou retournés).

Pour sa part, l’Administrateur principal de la CNARR, Mahamat Saleh, a réitéré l’engagement et « la solidarité du Tchad envers les personnes les plus vulnérables en déplacement forcé en générale, les réfugiés en particulier ».

La cérémonie symbolique de signature au bureau du HCR à N’Djamena a donné le coup d’envoi des activités prévues dans la capitale tchadienne et dans les régions abritant les réfugiés.
A travers tous ces évènements qui viseront différentes audiences et plateformes, il s’agira de permettre au grand public de voir les réfugiés sous le prisme des « espoirs et des rêves universels », que chaque homme ou femme partage et auxquels chacun s’identifie. Au nombre de ces rêves, il y a par exemple celui de pouvoir subvenir aux besoins de sa famille, de mener une activité génératrice de revenu, de se former et d’avoir un foyer. Des rêves et des espoirs que nourrissent les centaines de milliers de refugies soudanais, centrafricains, nigérians et d’autres nationalités bénéficiant de l’asile et de l’hospitalité du gouvernement et du peuple tchadien.

FONDS REQUIS: $354.1

FINANCEMENTS: $ 89.4

NON COUVERT: $ 264.6

HIGHLIGHTS

• The World Humanitarian Summit concluded on 24 May in Istanbul, with over 9,000 participants attending the first ever event.
• There are 20,000 returnees from Chad in Kornoi, North Darfur who need support, according to an inter-agency mission.
• The lean period in Sudan began unusually early in March due to the impact of El Niño, according to Sudan’s Federal Food Security Technical Secretariat.
• Almost 70,000 South Sudanese have arrived in Sudan since January 2016 as a result of conflict and deteriorating food security conditions in South Sudan.

World Humanitarian Summit concludes in Istanbul

The first World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul on 23-24 May convened 9,000 participants from 173 Member States, including 55 Heads of State and Government, hundreds of private sector representatives, and thousands of people from civil society.

The United Nations in its 70 years has never come together at this scale, with this many different stakeholders, to discuss pressing humanitarian challenges.

The Summit brought to the forefront of global attention the scale of the changes required to address the magnitude of challenges in the humanitarian sphere and beyond. The participants made it clear that humanitarian assistance alone can neither adequately address nor sustainably reduce the needs of over 130 million of the world’s most vulnerable people. A new and coherent approach is required based on addressing root causes, increasing political diplomacy for prevention and conflict resolution, and bringing humanitarian, development and peace-building efforts together.

Some of the key commitments and achievements of the World Humanitarian Summit and UN Secretary-General’s Agenda for Humanity are as follows:

I. POLITICAL LEADERSHIP TO PREVENT AND END CONFLICT

Global leaders recognised the centrality of political will to prevent and end conflicts, address root causes, reduce fragility and strengthen good governance.

II. UPHOLD THE NORMS THAT SAFEGUARD HUMANITY

Enhancing the protection of civilians in armed conflict was at the very heart of the Summit, recognising that the fundamental norms embodied in international humanitarian and human rights law provide a universal safeguard to ensure the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

III. LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND

The Summit demonstrated the international community’s resolve to live up to the pledge to leave no one behind in the quest for sustainable development for all.

IV. CHANGE PEOPLE’S LIVES: FROM DELIVERING AID TO ENDING NEED

The Summit reinforced support from all stakeholders to go beyond meeting humanitarian needs, by changing people’s lives through ending needs.

V. INVEST IN HUMANITY

The Summit reinforced the crucial role of financing as the key enabling and catalytic factor towards both meeting and reducing needs.

VI.WAY FORWARD

The World Humanitarian Summit was a wake-up call for action for humanity. It generated global momentum and political will to move forward on the Agenda for Humanity and the five core responsibilities to deliver better assistance for people across the globe.

Addis Abéba, le 30 mai 2016: La Présidente de la Commission de l'Union africaine (UA), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, condamne fermement les attaques terroristes meurtrières récurrentes contre les forces armées maliennes dans la zone d’Ansongo et contre un convoi du contingent togolais de la Mission multidimensionnelle intégrée des Nations unies pour la stabilisation au Mali (MINUSMA), qui ont fait de nombreuses pertes en vies humaines et des blessés. Elle exprime, une fois encore, sa profonde préoccupation face à la multiplication des attaques terroristes au Nord du Mali et dans les pays de la région.

La Présidente de la Commission exprime la pleine solidarité de l’UA avec le Mali, ainsi qu’avec la MINUSMA, en particulier le Gouvernement et le peuple togolais affligés par ces pertes douloureuses. Elle adresse les condoléances les plus attristées de l’UA aux familles des victimes et souhaite prompt rétablissement aux blessés.

La Présidente de la Commission réaffirme le plein soutien de l’UA au Mali et à la MINUSMA et salue ses efforts de stabilisation. Elle rappelle, à cet égard, le contexte particulier des défis spécifiques qui caractérisent la situation au Mali, tel que l’UA n’a cessé de le souligner dans ses prises de position depuis l’éclatement de la crise au Mali. Elle renouvelle l’appel de l’UA pour une coopération régionale renforcée et plus vigoureuse, dans le cadre notamment du Processus de Nouakchott, avec l’appui de la communauté internationale.

Les premières prévisions de la FAO concernant la production mondiale de blé de 2016 font entrevoir une petite diminution, de moindres volumes étant attendus en Europe et aux États-Unis d’Amérique.

PAYS AYANT BESOIN D’UNE ASSISTANCE EXTÉRIEURE: selon les estimations de la FAO, 34 pays de par le monde, dont 27 en Afrique, ont besoin d’une aide alimentaire extérieure. Les troubles civils ont continué d’avoir des effets très négatifs sur la sécurité alimentaire d’un certain nombre de pays, tandis que les mauvaises conditions météorologiques, parfois liées au phénomène El Niño, ont réduit la production dans d’autres, limitant l’accès à la nourriture et faisant augmenter les prix à la consommation.

AFRIQUE: les mauvaises conditions météorologiques ont réduit la production céréalière de 2015, ce qui a provoqué une augmentation considérable du nombre de personnes en situation d’insécurité alimentaire dans plusieurs pays, tandis que les conflits ont aussi eu des effets néfastes sur la sécurité alimentaire et le secteur agricole en certains endroits. Les semis de 2016 ont commencé en Afrique centrale, en Afrique de l’Est et en Afrique de l’Ouest, tandis qu’en Afrique australe, où la récolte débutera en avril, le temps sec associé à El Niño a considérablement assombri les perspectives de production, ce qui a des implications très négatives pour la sécurité alimentaire de la sous-région. En ce qui concerne l’Afrique du Nord, la production de 2016 s’annonce mitigée, la sécheresse constatée actuellement au Maroc et en Algérie ayant conduit à abaisser les prévisions.

ASIE: les perspectives concernant la récolte des cultures d’hiver de 2016 sont en général bonnes, les premières prévisions laissant entrevoir des volumes de blé abondants dans la plupart des pays. En ce qui concerne le Proche-Orient, toutefois, la persistance des conflits en Iraq, en République arabe syrienne et au Yémen a continué d’éroder la capacité du secteur agricole, nuisant aux perspectives de production de 2016 et accentuant encore la crise humanitaire. Selon les estimations, la production céréalière de 2015 de la région est supérieure à celle de l’année précédente, essentiellement du fait des récoltes plus abondantes rentrées en Chine et en Turquie, qui ont largement compensé les moindres volumes enregistrés dans plusieurs pays de l’Extrême-Orient, en particulier en Inde.

AMÉRIQUE LATINE ET CARAÏBES: en au début 2016, la production céréalière s’annonce globalement bonne, les volumes récoltés devant rester importants, principalement du fait des meilleurs résultats attendus au Mexique et en Amérique du Sud. En ce qui concerne l’Amérique centrale et les Caraïbes, alors que le Mexique devrait enregistrer une augmentation de sa production, la persistance par ailleurs d’un temps sec lié à El Niño pourrait maintenir la production à un bas niveau en 2016. En Amérique du Sud, la production céréalière de 2016 devrait être en léger recul par rapport au niveau record de l’année précédente, ce qui tient pour l’essentiel à une contraction des semis, mais elle devrait rester bien supérieure à la moyenne

Protection Assessments

The result of the rapid protection assessment conducted from May 10-14, 2016 by UNHCR and protection partners in Maiduguri and newly accessible areas of Damboa and Dikwa in Borno State, has been shared with HCT members on 25 May 2015. Following the HCT briefing the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator (DHC) organized an urgent meeting involving UNHCR, UNICEF, UNFPA, OCHA and IOM. The meeting discussed the findings of the assessment and agree on measures to be taken, collectively and individually, to address serious protection issues raised by the assessment. UNHCR prepared an advocacy note which was shared with members of the HCT.
UNHCR participated in a joint security assessment mission to Michika and Madagali its Field Safety Officer 19 – 20 May. This will result in the opening up of both Local Government Areas (LGAs) for UN staff to access the areas.
Following the report on the reported ‘evacuation’ of Cameroonians from Banki to Cameroon (Mora), UNHCR conducted an assessment in Sahuda border post. Nigerian army ‘evacuated’ the group from Banki and handed them to Cameroon authorities in Mora. On May 19, 2016 Cameroon authorities brought them to Sahuda border post in Nigeria on May 18, 2016 and took them back to the border area within Cameroon (which is 2 km away from Sahuda border post). According to Nigerian immigration officials, the number of individuals involved is 421. While the majority claimed to be Cameroonians, 66 claimed to be Nigerians. The group is composed of Arabic, Hausa, Kanuri and Fufude speakers.UNHCR has also conducted a shelter assessment in Muna garage host community, in Borno State. The assessment has revealed a gap in shelter which can expose persons of concern to health hazard and protection risks. The findings of the assessment is being shared with partners to improve programing and response.

06/02/16
By: Amanda Nero

"When your neighbor's beard is on fire, fetch water and soak your own," goes a Hausa proverb.

On the border with Nigeria, the town of Diffa, Niger – one of the world’s poorest countries – has borne the brunt of Boko Haram’s insurgency. So much so that in February 2015, Niger declared a 15-day state of emergency across the Diffa region after a spate of attacks by the group.

Nowadays, Diffa hosts refugees from Nigeria and internally displaced people (IDPs) mainly from Niger’s border areas fleeing violence and imminent attacks from Boko Haram. There are also many others fleeing climate and environmental change.

The region used to be a transit point for other migrants from West Africa trying to reach Libya and Algeria and then cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe. However, this kind of migration flow has diminished considerably due to the insecurity in the region caused by the activities of Boko Haram.

In the Nigerien village of Boudoum, IDPs were housed at a local school. Later, with the help of the village chief they were able to find places to stay in the village.

"They have been here 7 months and 10 days", says an elderly villager. "We have a very good relationship, we have the same culture. They are welcome here," he adds.

Nevertheless, the rapid increase in the number of people now living in the village has presented a heavy burden on the water supply and sanitation systems which are not sufficient to serve a tripled population.

Still the old man says, "They are welcome here."

To contain Boko Haram, Diffa's regional government has taken several measures to protect the people in the region. These include militarization of the area, since September 2015 when the Général de Division Abdou Kaza became Governor of Diffa, and the prohibition of circulation of motorbikes in the region to avoid easy access for kamikazes (suicide bombers) and gunmen.

“This was an important measure of security,” says Governor Kaza. He however acknowledges that this has affected the livelihoods of many.

“On another hand more than 1,000 young people have lost their jobs as they worked as motorbike taxi drivers. Mechanics and sellers of motorbike parts were also affected."

Another measure which has had drastic and far reaching effects was the banning of fishing, which while cutting off some of one of Boko Haram’s income sources has also deprived the population of an important economic activity and a source of food.

These measures combined have gone some way in weakening Boko Haram’s decentralized power structure and according to Governor Kaza, this partly explains why people are now coming back to Diffa since the crises in 2015.

Due to the lack of jobs, people are more vulnerable to being recruited by Boko Haram. "They offer money and motorbikes to trick the youth to join the group. When they realize that to be part of Boko Haram is not what they expected, it is already too late," says the local chief of police, Mamane Youssoufou. He adds that the reintegration of people who have managed to abandon Boko Haram is not easy as in most cases family and friends do not want them back.

Furthermore, displacement is creating a new scenario in the region. Along the national highway, makeshift houses made out of plastic and seccos (tressed straws) are ubiquitous. "They stay near the highway because they feel safer there and the access to humanitarian assistance is easier," Governor Kaza explains.

N'gourtoua is one of those settlements along the highway and is home to more than 400 households of mostly IDPs who fled Boko Haram. "We used to farm and fish. Here we can’t grow food, perhaps we can do some small commerce," Chétima Lauvan, the chief of the N’gourtoua village explains.

IOM has assisted the population of N’gourtoua with 350 shelters and NFIs.

Besides N’gourtoua, there are other villages that have been created out of the displacement caused by Boko Haram activities. For example, the area where Djalori village is located was previously just a vast desert bordering the National Highway. Since the beginning of 2015, however, it has became a new ‘home’ for more than 5,000 Nigerians refugees fleeing Boko Haram.

"We are facing a livelihood difficulties with limited resources and very often lack access to clean water," the village chief Boulama Issa says.

Diffa is at the centre of a complex migration reality where Boko Haram and climate change play a central and devastating role. IOM is active in this area and will continue to work with partners and provide much needed support to the refugee and internally displaced communities. - See more at: http://weblog.iom.int/collateral-effects-boko-haram-niger#sthash.9l5g71QA.dpuf

United Nations, United States | AFP | Thursday 6/2/2016 - 17:36 GMT

The United Nations is seeking 2,500 extra troops and police to shore up its peacekeeping operations in Mali, one of its most dangerous missions worldwide.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Thursday the MINUSMA mission also needs more air assets and quick-reaction forces after a series of attacks that left 12 peacekeepers dead in May alone.

"It's clear to everyone that the security situation in parts of Mali is deteriorating. UN staff have paid for it in blood," Dujarric said.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has proposed adding 2,049 troops and 480 police to MINUSMA, which currently has about 12,000 personnel.

The Security Council is due to consider steps to strengthen MINUSMA, with a vote on extending the mandate of the mission set for June 29.

Two attacks on Tuesday in the northern city of Gao killed a Chinese peacekeeper and three civilians including a French contractor. Both were claimed by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

The deaths bring to 12 the number of peacekeepers killed in Mali in May alone, according to the UN.

"We are talking about quick-reaction forces, air assets, additional troops specialized in high security convoys," said Dujarric.

Deployed in July 2013, MINUSMA is already making use of drones and other technology to protect its bases.

In a report to the council this week, Ban said the mission needs an attack helicopter unit, armored personnel carriers and transport helicopters.

He also stressed the need to improve intelligence-gathering.

The request for more troops includes a 650-strong quick reaction force, an aviation unit of 85 personnel and the deployment of special forces in Timbuktu and Kidal for intelligence and surveillance.

A special team of 30 officers would be based in Bamako to support crisis response.

AQIM has claimed responsibility for two attacks in Bamako in the past 15 months: the March 2015 attack on a bar that left five dead and the November assault on the Radisson Blu hotel that killed 20 people including 14 foreigners.

cml/sg

© 1994-2016 Agence France-Presse

Nations unies, Etats-Unis | AFP | jeudi 02/06/2016 - 18:09 GMT | 351 mots

Les Nations unies demandent 2.500 soldats et policiers supplémentaires pour renforcer leur mission au Mali, devenue l'une des plus dangereuses.

La mission de l'ONU au Mali (Minusma) a aussi besoin de moyens aériens et de forces de réaction rapide après une série d'attaques meurtrières qui ont fait 12 morts au cours du seul mois de mai, a précisé jeudi le porte-parole de l'ONU Stephane Dujarric.

Le Conseil de sécurité doit étudier ce renforcement de la Minusma et un allongement de son mandat lors d'un vote prévu le 29 juin.

"Il est évident que la sécurité en plusieurs endroits du Mali se détériore. Le personnel de l'ONU l'a payé de son sang", a déclaré M. Dujarric.

"Nous parlons de forces de réaction rapide, de moyens aériens, de soldats supplémentaires spécialisés dans les convois hautement sécurisés", a-t-il détaillé.

Le secrétaire général de l'ONU Ban Ki-moon propose d'ajouter 2.049 soldats et 480 policiers à la Minusma, qui compte déjà 12.000 personnes.

Il demande notamment une force de réaction rapide de 650 soldats, une unité aérienne de 85 personnes et le déploiement de forces spéciales à Tombouctou et à Kidal (nord) pour le renseignement et la surveillance.

Une équipe spéciale de 30 policiers serait basée à Bamako pour soutenir cet effort.

Dans un rapport transmis cette semaine au Conseil de sécurité, Ban avait indiqué que la mission au Mali avait besoin d'une unité d'hélicoptères d'attaque, de véhicules blindés pour le transport de troupes et d'hélicoptères de transport.

Le chef de l'ONU avait aussi souligné la nécessité de développer le partage de renseignement.

Déployée depuis juillet 2013, la Minusma utilise déjà des drones pour protéger ses bases.

Un Casque bleu chinois et trois civils travaillant pour l'ONU au Mali ont été tués dans une double attaque mardi soir à Gao, dans le nord du pays. L'assaut a été revendiqué par Al-Qaïda au Maghreb islamique (Aqmi).

Aqmi a aussi revendiqué deux attaques à Bamako ces 15 derniers mois: celle de mars 2015 contre un bar qui a fait cinq morts et celle de novembre contre l'hôtel Radisson Blu qui a tué 20 personnes dont 14 étrangers.

cml/are/elc

© 1994-2016 Agence France-Presse

Depuis le début de l’année 2012, le Mali subit une crise intense qui a provoqué de nombreux déplacements de population et affaibli voire brisé les moyens de subsistance de milliers de personnes. Depuis 4 ans, les équipes de Solidarités International agissent auprès de ces populations dans le centre du pays afin d’améliorer leurs conditions de vie.

Présente au Mali depuis l’année 2012, nos équipes sont venues en aide à des milliers de personnes. Au cours de l’année 2015, dans le cercle de Goundam, dans la région de Tombouctou, nos équipes ont mis en œuvre des programmes d’amélioration d’accès à l’eau, à l’hygiène et à l’assainissement, des activités tournées vers la nutrition ainsi que des programmes de Sécurité alimentaire et moyens d’existence dans le but d’améliorer les conditions de vie de milliers de personnes. "Ce programme a pris fin il y a quelques semaines, indique Caroline Courtois, responsable géographique pour le Sahel. Or, les populations, les pauvres, et les plus vulnérables à l'insécurité alimenatire et aux risques de malnutrition dans la zone ont encore besoin d'assistance.Solidarités International a donc décidé avec l’aide de ses partenaires (ECHO, ALIMA) de poursuivre ce programme pour une nouvelle année afin de permettre aux populations vulnérables du cercle de Goundam de faire face à leurs besoins alimentaires et non alimentaires de base et de recréer ou maintenir une activité productive."

Renforcer l’accès à l’eau pour lutter contre la malnutrition

A Goundam, l’extrême précarité des familles et la faiblesse de l’aide apportée dégradent la sécurité alimentaire et favorisent la malnutrition dont les enfants restent les principales victimes. Pour lutter contre ce fléau, dont 50% des cas sont dus aux maladies hydriques, nos équipes vont, au cours de l’année, distribuer et sensibiliser la population à l’utilisation des purifiants d’eau durant au moins 3 mois et fournir de l’eau potable potable via une station de potabilisation installée sur un site d’accueil des déplacés permettant l’approvisionnement à hauteur de 15 à 20 L d’eau par personne et par jour. ‘’De plus, nous allons mener une campagne de dépistage de la malnutrition et sensibiliser les femmes enceintes aux bonnes pratiques nutritionnelles et d'hygiène. Enfin, nous allons procéder à des transferts monétaires, à des distributions d’intrants et à l’organisation de foires. En tout, ce programme projette d’apporter une aide à près de 24 000 personnes dont 6 750 enfants de moins de 5 ans."

C’est avec ce type de projet que la devise ‘’Aider plus loin’’ de l’association prend tout son sens. Après le choc, le relèvement peut prendre plusieurs années. Nos équipes accompagnent donc les populations depuis la phase d’urgence jusqu’à celle de la reconstruction en s’assurant d’avoir transmis les moyens et les outils nécessaires afin qu’elles puissent poursuivre leur développement après le départ de nos équipes.

Découvrez ci-dessous les témoignages d’habitants de la zone de Goundam recueillis début 2016. Bénéficiaires du programme en 2015 qui se poursuivra au cours de l’année 2016, ils confient combien l’aide apportée par Solidarités International leur a été d’un grand secours.

by Eromo Egbejule | Thomson Reuters Foundation
Thursday, 2 June 2016 13:40 GMT

BENUE, Nigeria - When Sarah Adaji's husband retired as a teacher two years ago, he kept himself busy tending to their farm, hoping to provide food for his family and make some money off the produce.

Read the story on the Thomson Reuters Foundation

On June 3, 2015, an explosion at a gas station in Ghana's capital Accra and flooding caused by heavy rains killed an estimated 150 people. The heavy rains occur every year, yet until the disaster, city authorities had done little to address the problem. Twelve months later, residents of Accra live in fear that this year's rains could bring further floods.

Jerry Buckman, 31, is one of the victims of last year's floods. Two of his relatives perished last year and his family home was engulfed by fire. Buckman says he is scared every time it starts to rain. "Sometimes I have to stop my work and go back home, when it starts to rain," he said.

Simon Korang, 23, is another survivor. During the flooding his family lost their property. His mother is unable to find work and he has dropped out of school. "The tragedy has affected us in different ways. My mum can no longer afford my school fees," Korang said.

As the rains begin to pour, Accra residents like Buckman, are becoming uncomfortable as they once again witness flooding in parts of the capital due to poor drainage systems. "When you come to this area, just look into the gutters, they are choked and when it rains the water can't flow well," Buckman said.

No concrete actions

One year on, nothing much has been done to minimize the harm. Gutters are blocked even in the areas that were affected last year.

Ghana's president John Mahama gave an order to have all structures obstructing water ways pulled down. Even flling stations situated in unauthorized places were to be removed. But it appears that city authorities are struggling to enforce this directive to avert another disaster. The mayor of Accra, Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, however, said his office has done some work. "There was a pile of refuse collected, now you can see clean water," Oko said. "They are doing maintenance and then after, they will go into the water and dredge from upstream," he added.

As the country marks a year after the deadly disaster, Accra residents have called on the authorities to do more to minimize the flooding. The city, however, has a huge task to mobilize the needed funds to construct proper drains.

Author: Isaac Kaledzi/fm

In the Lake Chad Basin, drought and massive displacement due to violence from Boko Haram are converging to create a severe humanitarian crisis.

Boko Haram’s cycle of violence has uprooted and displaced at least 2.3 million people near the already fragile and drought-afflicted Lake Chad water basin, which includes portions of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad.

Now, the water crisis is even more extreme — 3 million people in the region are facing severe food insecurity and more than 300,000 children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

Some 9.2 million people — out of a total population of 20 million living in the areas of affected by Boko Haram — are in need of food, water, shelter and other humanitarian assistance.

Learn how climate change and violent extremism have fueled a complicated and massive humanitarian crisis. Learn how we are meeting the urgent needs of families affected by this crisis and are working toward rebuilding stronger communities.

Learn how you can help.

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A history of hunger and water crises

The Lake Chad Basin has been grappling with the effects of poverty, climate change and weak governance for years. In both Nigeria and Niger, Mercy Corps has been working with the local communities to improve access to food, safety and security, while fueling economic development and other interventions that make communities stronger.

Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, with an annual per person income of less than $200. Unpredictable rain patterns due to climate change severely affect farmers’ ability to grow enough food. A failed harvest at the end of 2011 left Niger and the entire Sahel region of West Africa in a water and food crisis.

Ten percent of children suffer from acute malnutrition and 44 percent are chronically malnourished, according to the World Food Programme.

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, but about 70 percent of the country lives in poverty. As many as 80 percent of women are illiterate and lack access to resources and information to help them better their lives and contribute to their families and their country.

Crisis made worse by Boko Haram

Boko Haram emerged in the region in the early 2000s as an anti-government Islamic sect, but began to gain notoriety in 2009 when its actions became more radical and deadly. The group made international headlines after the 2014 abduction of 276 girls from their school in Chibok, Nigeria.

Since then, millions have fled their villages to escape Boko Haram recruitment and violence.

Rather than refugee camps, however, most are living in host communities. The region affected is in northeast Nigeria, at the nexus of Niger, Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria.

The massive displacement is stretching already scarce resources beyond the breaking point.

As the Nigerian government has regained control of certain areas and the region has gained some stability, the severity of the problem has come to light on the world stage and exposed the need for urgent action.

United Nations Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordination Stephen O’Brien — speaking at the World Humanitarian Summit on May 24, 2016 — warned that this is a brewing humanitarian crisis and called for action to address it.

What is Mercy Corps doing?

At the heart of our work is a focus on the root causes of food insecurity across the region.

In Niger, we work to improve access to food, nutrition information and connect local farmers with seeds, livestock and veterinary services so they can better support themselves.

We also focus on helping women and girls become more involved in community decision-making.

More specifically in Nigeria, we have been working in Gombe and Adamawa states in the northeast part of the country to provide emergency help in response to the massive displacement due to Boko Haram. We are are providing emergency food assistance with electronic vouchers, distributing non-food essential and cash transfers.

Because Boko Haram has caused massive displacement in the Lake Chad Basin, the interventions that we already had in place have become even more critical. We are providing livelihood support so displaced people have the means to care for themselves and their families. We are providing access to water and sanitation, and protection for displaced people and the host communities.

The Mercy Corps team in Nigeria is quickly working to expand its humanitarian response to include southern Borno, where there are over 100,000 displaced people who are currently without any form of aid.

We plan to introduce long-term programming that will focus on reducing conflict between the displaced and host communities, and improve the wellbeing of women and girls.

Because we have been in the region for several years, we have specific research around Boko Haram. We have studied how the group recruits youth and what factors help prevent youth from joining Boko Haram.

Now, we are creating programming that will more specifically target youth who are vulnerable to joining Boko Haram and address the root causes of conflict and violence. Mercy Corps expects that this programming will be operational by Fall 2016.

Mercy Corps sees a stronger tomorrow in the Lake Chad region, where communities are economically secure and prepared for future disasters. We recognize that the time to act is now.

Donate today. Every single contribution helps us provide even more food, water, shelter and support to families living in the Lake Chad Basin and around the world.

Highlights

• The first Community-Based Participatory Planning (CBPP) exercise was carried out in the village of Banogo, East region from 4 – 8 April.

• A joint Food Security Assessment (FSA) was organized by WFP and UNHCR in the Sahel region to evaluate food security situation for Malian refugees remaining in Burkina Faso.

• The government launched a programme to provide free healthcare to children under 5 and pregnant and nursing mothers, which is expected to increase caseload for treatment of moderate acute malnutrition in WFP areas of intervention.

Operational Updates

• WFP launched CBPP in Banogo in the East region. This first CBPP exercise was carried out with support from experts from Headquarters and Regional Bureau in Dakar. Another CBPP is planned in Bani, Sahel region in May.

• A joint Food Security Assessment (FSA) was carried out by WFP and UNHCR in the Sahel region to evaluate food security situation for Malian refugees in Burkina Faso. A final report will be available in May.

Highlights

• In April, WFP’s General Food Distributions (GFD) provided assistance to 102,000 people.

• Blanket Supplementary Feeding was provided to 32,210 children from 6 to 23 months and 10,799 pregnant and nursing women in Timbuktu in response to the high levels of malnutrition in the region in the month of April.

• WFP has finalized its lean season response for June-September 2016.

Operational Updates

• In April, WFP distributed food for 181,102 school children, including children in the 13 schools in Kidal that WFP is assisting, in order to cover school meals until the end of the 2015/2016 school year. WFP also implemented a pilot cash based transfer programme in five schools in Koulikoro.

• The Government of Mali has prepared its Response Plan for 2016 based on results of the March 2016 Cadre Harmonise. The response plan includes the government’s interventions for the lean season in addition to the activities planned by WFP and other stakeholders. Thereby, WFP will provide food and cash assistance to 210,000 food insecure people a month in northern Mali during the lean season.

• WFP assisted 437,514 people in April and transferred 3,500 mt of food and USD 552,257 to populations. Paper vouchers were the cash based modality used for GFD and for a pilot cash for caregivers programme.

Highlights

• WFP continues to provide food assistance to communities living in food insecurity and to Malian refugees in the Mberra camp despite the critical shortfall.

• WFP faces a funding gap of USD 17 million through October (67 percent of the total requirements) to cover its operations of assistance. Without additional resources, nutrition assistance may halt as of 30 June.

Operational Updates

• In April, WFP provided assistance to 49,964 refugees. All refugees received a reduced food ration composed of rice, pulses, salt and oil. This represented the last assistance to approximately 2,163 families deactivated as a result of UNHCR and Government of Mauritania verification exercise. De-activated individuals received a support kit to reintegrate in their village of origin and will continue to have access to essential services in the camp.

• As part of the other activities in the camp, a total of 6,963 children below five and 1,447 pregnant and nursing women also received nutritious supplement for prevention and treatment of acute malnutrition. In addition, 4,905 pre-primary and primary school children in the camp received a daily snack.

• In April 2016, approximately 47,000 people suffering from food insecurity received food assistance through food for assets intervention. This food assistance was comprised of pulses, iodised salt, vegetable oil, and salt.

• In April, the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) transported 322 humanitarian workers and 1,649 mt of light cargo in 42 rotations between Nouakchott and Bassikounou.

• On 12 April, UNHAS facilitated a special flight for the United States of America ambassador to the Mberra camp.

• On 17 April, UNHAS successfully executed a medical evacuation from Nema to Nouakchott for international ONG Action against Hunger.