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Chad: Food security and humanitarian implications in West Africa and the Sahel, N°75 - June - July 2016

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Source: World Food Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Country: Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo

KEY POINTS

  • Alarming food situation among IDPs in Maiduguri in Borno State - Nigeria.

  • Progressive and near-final installation of the 2016-2017 crop year.

  • The FAO food price index continues to rise since five months.

The 2016 crop year had a relatively early start, especially in the Sudano-Sahelian zone though with pockets of deficit in west-central Senegal, the coast of Liberia, the center of Ghana, southern Togo and south western Nigeria.
The updated seasonal forecast in July indicates that the probability of having higher than average rainfall over most of central and eastern Sahel and below average on the extreme western regions remains high.
The general average breeding conditions is beginning to improve with pasture regeneration following favorable rains.
The food and nutrition situation in the Lake Chad Basin continues to be precarious, especially among internally displaced persons (IDPs). In Maiduguri, in Borno State - Nigeria, 67.5 percent of IDPs are food insecure and 32 percent use emergency coping strategies (begging).
In early June 2016, a number of attacks were perpetrated by Boko Haram in the Bosso department in Diffa (Niger), triggering population movements. Faced with this crisis, 59 percent of households reported that they faced food shortages in the past seven days (mVAM Bulletin / Niger - June 2016).


Niger: Niger : Rapport sur les activités à Diffa du 22 au 28 août 2016

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Source: European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office, Department for International Development, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, US Agency for International Development, UN Children's Fund, International Rescue Committee, UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Country: Niger, Nigeria

Diffa

  • Du 22 au 26 Aout 2016, le programme Education IRC a organisé des rencontres avec les membres des Comités de Gestion Décentralisée des Etablissements Scolaires (CGDES) des écoles d’intervention du projet à Diffa et à Mainé Soroa. L’évaluation des besoins dans 25 écoles cibles a été finalisée et fait ressortir les matériels disponibles et le gap à couvrir. Au total 16 comités de 493 personnes représentant 207 femmes et 286 hommes ont participé à ces rencontres.

  • Du 22 au 26 Aout 2016, le programme Livelihoods de IRC a poursuivi les distributions d’assistance alimentaire à 270 ménages de Kindjaindi. Cette distribution financée par SV a permis de soutenir les récents déplacés de Bosso. Par ailleurs, l’équipe a procédé à deux séances de dépistage touchant douze enfants de 0 à 23 mois. A l’issue de ces deux séances, deux enfants ont été déclarés malnutris modérés et un malnutri sévère. Tous ces cas ont été orientés vers le centre de santé pour une prise en charge.

  • Du 22 au 23 Aout 2016, la première enquête Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) du projet USAID/FFP a été réalisée sur les sites ciblés par le projet. Les données ont été collectées avec des Smartphones. Ce PDM permettrait d’apprécier le processus de distribution des E-vouchers, les quantités et la qualité des produits distribués ainsi que les plaintes des bénéficiaires afin d’améliorer les prochaines distributions. En marge de cette enquête, les bénéficiaires ont été photographiés pour l’établissement de carte individuelle en vue de pallier aux fraudes.

  • Le 27 Aout 2016, IRC, sous financement UNICEF a appuyé 30 familles d’accueil en voucher de vivre et non-vivres à Diffa. L’objectif de cette assistance est d’appuyer lesdites familles en vue d’assurer une meilleure prise en charge des enfants séparés et non accompagnés placés en leurs seins.

  • Du 22 au 26 Aout 2016, IRC, sous financement UNICEF, ECHO, BPRM et OFDA a doté 5 espaces enfants pairs éducateurs en kit de fonctionnement composé de plusieurs articles pouvant leur permettre de créer un cadre idéal de rencontre, d’échange et de jeux. Ces espaces ont été créés avec l’appui de l’UNICEF.

  • Du 22 au 26 Aout 2016, sous financement de CDC les comités Santé de la Reproduction de Chétimari, Kargamari, Gagamari, Tam et Kabléwa ont effectué des séances de sensibilisation portant sur la planification familiale, l’accouchement assisté, la santé de la femme enceinte, et l'utilisation des moustiquaires imprégnées. 311 personnes dont 50 femmes enceintes et 130 femmes allaitantes et 101 autres ont été touchées.

  • Au cours de la période, IRC, accompagnée des facilitateurs de la Direction Régionale de l’Hydraulique et de l’Assainissement DRH/A et de la Direction Régionale de la Santé Publique ont conduit la formation de 10 comités d’hygiène et 3 relais communautaires mis en place au niveau des villages d’Issari Brime/Boudoum, Djalori, Elhadji Mainari et Kabléwa. A travers ces séances de formation, les relais communautaires et mobilisateurs contribuent efficacement à l’amélioration des pratiques d’hygiène liées à l’eau et l’assainissement et aussi préviennent les communautés contre la lutte des maladies diarrhéiques. L’on dénombre au total 100 personnes formées pour les comités d’hygiène et 15 pour les relais communautaires.

  • Dans le cadre des activités d’Assainissement Total Piloté par la Communauté (ATPC), 215 dalles sanplats sont distribuées aux familles bénéficiaires de Kabléwa. Ces dalles et latrines construites avec de l’appui de l’UNICEF vont contribuer à l’amélioration de la santé des personnes grâce à l’évacuation sans risques des excréments. De plus, l’équipe a réhabilité 8 blocs de latrines dont 7 à Marguidi et 1 à Djalori démolis par les intempéries.

  • Du 22 au 26 Aout 2016, l’équipe WASH de IRC a animé des séances de sensibilisation portant sur les sites d’intervention avec 144 personnes dont 90 hommes, 59 femmes, 46 filles et 45 garçons touchées par les messages de la promotion à l’hygiène. Ces séances ont permis aux participants d’apprécier les pratiques à risques et de prendre les mesures adéquates pour améliorer leurs conditions de santé.Dans le cadre du respect des cinq engagements minimum WASH, l’équipe poursuit la pose des logos et silhouettes (séparation homme/femme) et installation des tippy tip sur les latrines communautaires à Djakimea II et Adjiri. En réponse aux résultats des évaluations multi sectorielles (MSA), l’équipe a implanté 16 blocs de latrines à Blahardé et 8 blocs à Abbadjajeri.

Niger: Niger: Plan de soutien aux populations vulnérables, mars 2016

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Source: Government of Niger
Country: Mali, Niger, Nigeria

I. INTRODUCTION

Principal cadre de référence pour toutes les interventions en matière de prévention et de gestion des catastrophes et crises alimentaires, le plan de soutien aux populations vulnérables est considéré comme l’outil de planification et de programmation des interventions que le Dispositif National (DNPGCCA) et ses partenaires se doivent de mettre en œuvre pour répondre aux besoins des populations vulnérables identifiés préalablement selon une démarche participative et inclusive.

Le plan de soutien est construit en deux phases, une phase préliminaire réalisée pour les mois d’octobre à décembre 2015 sur la base des informations préliminaires relatives à la campagne agropastorale ; la seconde phase fait suite à la production des résultats des rencontres techniques annuelles d’identification des zones vulnérables, de l’enquête annuelle de vulnérabilité et des résultats du processus du Cadre Harmonisé.

Ce plan de soutien est réalisé pour une durée de neuf mois de janvier à septembre 2016.

World: Solar empowerment across countries: Sustainable irrigation helps farmers adapt to climate change and maintain productivity

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Source: UN Development Programme
Country: Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Mali, Niger, Sudan, World

Reliable access to water is critical for farmers everywhere, but, for many in developing countries grappling with poverty, unemployment, insufficient infrastructure and environmental degradation, climate change brings additional pressure.

To address these impacts, the Government of Canada partnered with UNDP, through the Climate Change Adaptation Facility, to strengthen resilience of vulnerable communities, including introducing solar-powered water supply in Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Mali, Niger and Sudan.

Cabo Verde

In the islands most plagued by drought, the project introduced solar pumping systems to reduce energy costs and increase access to water. These systems are helping more than 500 farmers irrigate approximately 15 hectares/37 acres of arable land. Solar pumps also save countless hours spent fetching water for daily household needs. In turn, they have brought improvements in health and hygiene, education, and increased revenues from other livelihoods.

“Whoever got [to the well] first got the water,” recalls Filomena in Santiago Island. “So I used to leave around midnight and sleep there.”

Cambodia

In Cambodia, solar pumps have improved access to freshwater for both domestic use and irrigation, resulting in higher income and food security.

68 year-old Tourn Sakon used to fetch water from a pond in his village. With solar pumps close to his house, he can now focus his time on growing and selling his produce, which increases his income, diversifies his crops and increases resilience.

User groups have been formed to manage water resources, putting women in leadership positions. This led to positive changes, such as reduced tensions between women and men, shared decision-making and increased skills for women.

Mali

In Mali, solar pumps were installed along plots of land dedicated to vegetable gardening. With reliable access to water, women collectives are now able to produce more crops.

Additional time- and labor-saving solar technologies, like multifunctional platforms maintained and managed by women‘s associations, provide an alternative source of income when the cash crops suffer.

Niger

Processing units composed of mills and huskers were installed in several communities in Niger, with positive effects on women‘s time and earning capacity. In a country where 90% of rural inhabitants have no access to electricity, providing solar powered solutions can be life-changing.

Sudan

It is estimated that over 12 million hectares of rain-fed land are under threat from unpredictable rainfall, shorter growing seasons, and frequent and intense droughts. In response, 15 solar pumps were installed to improve seasonal irrigation of Jubrakas, collective plots of land managed by groups of ten to twelve women. This contributed to diversify household food crops, particularly in the dry season, supporting women’s increasing role as leaders of the community in managing and producing food.

For more information on CCAF work, visit www.adaptation-undp.org/projects/ccaf.

South Sudan: South Sudan Humanitarian Bulletin Issue 13 | 8 September 2016

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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Country: South Sudan, Uganda

Highlights

  • Conflict continues to drive South Sudanese to neighbouring Uganda in search of refuge.

  • Disruptions to markets, rapid inflation and devaluation of the local currency are worsening food insecurity in Northern Bahr el Ghazal.

  • Cholera, malaria and kalaazar continue to be major causes of death in the country.

  • Survival kits have been distributed in hard-to-reach areas of central Unity.

Equatorias: fighting triggers further displacement

Fighting and insecurity in Eastern, Central and Western Equatoria have continued to cause thousands to flee their homes, including to neighbouring Uganda.

Since fighting in South Sudan’s capital Juba in July, nearly 103,500 people have fled to Uganda, where more refugees arrived in August (49,427) than during the first six months of 2016 (33,838). In one week alone - 27 August to 2 September - nearly 13,900 people fled to Uganda. Of these, more than four times as many crossed via the Oraba border point, compared to Elegu, indicating that most new arrivals in Uganda are fleeing from Central Equatoria.

New arrivals to Uganda from Central Equatoria report having been harassed by armed actors and increasing violence across the area. Refugees arriving into Adjumani report that the situation in Eastern Equatoria is deteriorating, particularly in Magwi, Pajok and Pageri. Refugees from Magwi report widespread lootings and killing of civilians by armed men. Activities by armed actors are reportedly increasing, including looting, kidnapping, and sexual violence. In Torit, a recent assessment by humanitarian partners found that the eruption of violence in July 2016 has heightened food insecurity and been accompanied by serious protection concerns, including checkpoints, road ambushes, looting and theft of properties, occupation of schools by armed actors, and intimidation, violence and harassment.

In addition to those fleeing to Uganda, humanitarian partners estimate that tens of thousands of people remain internally displaced in the Equatorias, including in and around Mundri, cYambio and Maridi in Western Equatoria and around key flashpoints in Central Equatoria, including Lainya, Wonduruba, Lobonok and Yei.

Mali: Supporting Mali's women adapt to climate change

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Source: UN Development Programme
Country: Mali

Gardening is a common side job for women in Mali, along with making products from the shea tree or jujube fruits. Traditionally men are the main income earners, supporting their families with cash crops such as cotton, millet or rice.

However, climate change has led to more drought and shorter rainy seasons in Mali. As a result cash crops are suffering, putting pressure on women to support their families with alternative incomes. They are required not only to work but also to secure enough water and food for the family.

“The problem of water is critical, which is why gardening, which was always our favourite activity, is almost impossible to achieve,” says Fatoumata Diarra, a member of the women’s cooperative in the village of Massantola, located in Western Mali, just north of the capital, Bamako.

The Mali National Directorate of Agriculture has partnered with UNDP to strengthen agricultural communities and empower women to mitigate the social and economic consequences of climate change. In Massantola, the project has supported Diarra’s cooperative to clear a plot for gardening and provide access to water.

“With the help of the project, we installed a fence and a well that runs on solar energy,” explains Diarra. “We can sell some of the vegetables we harvest to supply the cooperative’s fund and use another part for feeding the family, which helps fight malnutrition.”

A solar-powered platform was provided to the women’s collective, to help process grain into flour, a very time-intensive process necessary for cooking.

In addition UNDP supports women’s collectives in Mali, training them on sustainable agriculture and land management practices, as well as supplying seeds and tools, and establishing funds to help build alternative sources of income to local communities.

World: Global Weather Hazards Summary, September 9 - 15, 2016

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Source: Famine Early Warning System Network
Country: Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, World

Flooding risks remain in East and West Africa, while rainfall deficits increase in Ethiopia and Uganda

About Weather Hazards

The Global Weather Hazards report anticipates severe weather or climate events in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Central Asia. This product provides maps with current weather and climate information; short and medium range weather forecasts (up to one week); and the potential impact on crop and pasture conditions. It does not reflect long range forecasts or food security conditions.

Africa Weather Hazards

  1. Persistent, aboveaverage rainfall since July has led to excessive rainfall surpluses and floods that have damaged infrastructure, displaced populations and caused fatalities in parts of Sudan, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.

  2. There is a potential for increased number of locusts migrating from the Arabian Peninsula which may negatively impact cropping activities.

  3. Below-average seasonal rainfall and persistent moisture deficits in the region have negatively impacted developing crops across parts of eastern Oromia and SNNPR in Ethiopia.

  4. Low and poorly distributed seasonal rainfall across parts of central Senegal have led to strengthening moisture deficits and deteriorating ground conditions.

  5. Heavy and frequent rain over the past several weeks has led to substantial rainfall surpluses and flooding along the Niger and Benue Rivers in Nigeria. Enhanced rainfall is forecast across central Nigeria, sustaining the risk for flooding through early September.

Central America and the Caribbean Weather Hazards

  1. Below-average rainfall over the past several weeks has led to growing rainfall deficits and abnormal dryness throughout much of Haiti and neighboring western Dominican Republic.

Uganda: South Sudan: Crisis countries are host countries

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Source: Malteser
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Uganda

Malteser International delivers quick emergency relief

Cologne. The ongoing unrest in South Sudan is responsible for a continued flight to already poverty-stricken and financially strained neighboring countries. Around 800,000 South Sudanese people have already left their home of origin. Even in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country itself dependent on international aid, more than 27,000 refugees from South Sudan have fled across the border. At the same time thousands of Congolese are returning to their homeland from South Sudan.

The situation is not only getting more difficult for the South Sudanese but also for the families in neighboring host countries. Local structures and aid organizations are overwhelmed with the current flow of refugees in different regions and direct care is affected. As a result, the burden is placed on the local communities to place refugees in safe housing.

“The situation in the north eastern parts of DR Congo is already precarious. Only a few years ago we delivered humanitarian help for internally displaced people. Since then we are working on the empowerment of the health system, but the large number of refugees and returnees is overstraining our efforts. Additionally, the displaced persons need water, housing, and food,” said Roland Hansen, Africa team leader of Malteser International.

Currently, refugees are housed with families and in schools and public housing, but the existing situation demands the immediate construction of shelters. Malteser International is now supporting the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) as one of the first organizations in sectors of water, sanitation and health care. Malteser International will improve access to clean drinkable water, build latrines, provide hygiene products and offer education courses in these sectors for 15,000 people. Local health stations will be supported as well, in order to provide free health care for refugees, and local communities will also benefit.

“While this crisis has not yet drawn the attention of the world, like bigger crises in the Middle East, already resource-deprived host countries are on the verge of break-down from the influx of refugees. Financial support from the Federal Foreign office are urgently needed and appreciated“, said Hansen.

Since 2013, 270,000 South Sudanese have fled to Uganda as well. Malteser International provides 20,000 people with drinking water and assists them to cultivate their own food. 1.8 Million internally displaced people are living in Uganda. Malteser International provides 25,000 people with water and food in the slums of the capital city Juba. Because of a rising fear of violent attacks in the countryside, 100,000 people have fled to Wau. Malteser International continues to provide emergency relief.

For editors:
Roland Hansen, Africa Team Leader of Malteser International, is available for interviews.
Contact: Tel.: +49 (0)221 9822 155, katharina.kiecol(at)malteser-international.org


Chad: Tchad: Vue Génerale des Opérations - Statistiques par camp, bureau et région de la population de personnes relevant de la compétence du HCR. (Au 31/08/2016)

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Source: Government of Chad, UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Country: Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Sudan

World: Crop Prospects and Food Situation No. 3, September 2016

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Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Country: Afghanistan, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Haiti, Iraq, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Timor-Leste, Uganda, World, Yemen, Zimbabwe

HIGHLIGHTS

Prospects for global cereal production in 2016 continued to improve in recent months with significant upward revisions for maize and wheat, reflecting particularly favourable weather conditions in some of the large producing countries.

COUNTRIES IN NEED OF EXTERNAL ASSISTANCE: FAO estimates that 36 countries, including 28 in Africa, are in need of external assistance for food. Persisting conflicts and drought induced production declines are the main causes that have stressed food security in 2016.

AFRICA: Despite expected cereal production increases in East and West Africa, drought-reduced harvests in North and Southern Africa are forecast to pull down the aggregate 2016 cereal output to a below-average level. The impact of the El Niño-induced drought resulted in a significant increase in food insecurity in Southern Africa. Persisting conflicts, notably in Nigeria and in South Sudan, continue to severely impair agricultural production and food security in affected countries.

ASIA: In the Far East, cereal production is forecast to rebound strongly in 2016, after a reduced output in 2015 due to dry weather. Similarly, the output of the Asian CIS subregion is anticipated to increase, benefitting from improved weather conditions, while 2016 production in the Near East is forecast to fall from the bumper level of 2015. Several countries in the Near East continue to be affected by the negative impact of conflicts on agricultural production, livelihoods and food security.

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN: Despite a record maize crop forecast in Argentina in 2016, drought-reduced outputs in Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay have resulted in a large year-on-year decrease for the aggregate South American cereal output. Moderate production recoveries from last year’s drought reduced outputs are expected in most Central American countries, while Mexico is anticipated to harvest a bumper cereal crop in 2016.

Nigeria: Hundreds of Nigerians return to devastated homes in north-east

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Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Country: Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Leo Dobbs – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

By: Leo Dobbs | 9 September 2016

Hundreds of internally displaced people are returning to devastated villages and towns that have recently been liberated by the Nigerian armed forces in the north-eastern state of Borno. UNHCR expects the number to grow in the coming weeks, but we remain concerned about conditions, basic services and security in territory formerly controlled by Boko Haram insurgents. Comprehensive figures are not available but our field staff and partners are reporting both government-facilitated and spontaneous return in recent days of hundreds of people to places such as Mafa, Konduga, Benisheikh and Dikwa.

Assistance from the government and aid agencies has been stepped up to the region to help people in 16 newly accessible districts of Borno. UNHCR and its partners have restricted access to 10 of these districts, where some 800,000 people need urgent help. Some of those now returning to their homes in the liberated areas from places like the Borno capital, Maiduguri, appear to be happy to go back, citing dire conditions in the places where they have been living, including camps for the internally displaced.

But UNHCR is concerned about the welfare of the people, who are returning to areas that have been devastated under Boko Haram rule. Many of the internally displaced will be going back to destroyed homes and infrastructure, and areas lacking health care and other services. The returns should be voluntary, dignified and safe - people should be informed about conditions in their home areas. UNHCR is in regular touch with state officials and we have raised our concerns and offered to closely work with them to help ensure that returns are conducted in accordance with international standards and in dignity and safety. We will continue to monitor the situation of returnees, especially the most vulnerable.

Meanwhile, as we and partners scale up our operations in the north-east, security and access to the needy, especially those in the newly accessible areas, remain major challenges. A greater humanitarian response and presence on the ground is urgently needed, aid efforts must be better coordinated, and data collection improved. In the past week, we have started the deployment of a 14-strong emergency response team, including experienced senior emergency coordinators and several protection officers. Most of the displaced are women, children and the elderly. Priority issues that we and our partners are working on include shelter, food, provision of potable water as well as health concerns, including acute malnutrition and cholera prevention. Protection issues include sexual and gender-based violence, where we have had successes through community-based protection action groups that encourage dialogue and awareness.

In concrete terms, UNHCR continues to work through local partners to carry out vital protection monitoring in Bama, Monguno, Damboa, Konduga, Mafa, Dikwa and including Biu, Bayo, Hawul, Shani and Kwaya Kusar districts in southern Borno.

We have also provided 200 shelters for 1,000 people in Bama and have distributed non-food items to 16,000 people in the past two weeks. We have handed out aid items to 10,000 people in the Cameroon-Nigeria border town of Banki. In Maiduguri, we have constructed almost 2,000 semi-permanent shelters for around 10,000 people, and are building emergency shelters for 5,000 people in Dikwa.

The insurgency in north-east Nigeria has forcibly displaced more than 2.25 million people since 2014, including 2.066 million internally displaced people and almost 190,000 refugees in neighbouring Cameroon, Niger and Chad. Although the government has rolled back Boko Haram gains since last year, the insurgency has switched to terror attacks and remains a potent threat.

For more information on this topic, please contact:
In Nigeria, Hélène Caux, caux@unhcr.org, +221 77 333 12 91
In Nigeria, Hanson Ghandi Tamfu, tamfu@unhcr.org, +234 80 57 98 19 73
In Geneva, Leo Dobbs, dobbs@unhcr.org, +41 79 883 6347
In Geneva, John Chiahemen, chiaheme@unhcr.org, +41 79 513 9545

Senegal: WFP Senegal Country Brief, July 2016

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Source: World Food Programme
Country: Gambia, Guinea, Senegal

Highlights

  • WFP urgently requires USD 2 million to provide school meals to 146,000 children for the 2016-2017 school year.

  • The nutritional situation is critical with several regions and departments exceeding the WHO threshold of 15%.

Operational Updates

  • Nutrition: Levels of malnutrition are particularly alarming with several regions and departments exceeding the 15% threshold (classified as “critical” for Global Acute Malnutrition). The north east of the country is particularly affected and requires urgent action in the coming months.
    WFP participated in the elaboration of Senegal’s Nutrition Multisector strategic plan (2017 to 2021).
    Within the institutional framework of nutrition programming in Senegal, WFP has been identified as a strategic partner for the treatment and prevention of malnutrition and the implementation of nutritionsensitive social protection safety nets.

  • In August, WFP and key nutrition partners plan to implement an integrated nutrition programme that will assist 31,750 children aged from 6 to 23 months, 8,715 pregnant and nursing women and 4,500 vulnerable households with cash-based transfers (CBT).

  • School meals: On 4 August 2016, The Kingdom of Thailand donated six water pumps and four water retention basins to communities enrolled in the “Community farms” Program in the department of Nioro.
    This generous donation from the Kingdom of Thailand will help increase market garden production, which will in return improve households’ income and further contribute to supplying school canteens with fresh and nutritious food.
    WFP aims to provide lunch and breakfast to 170,000 pre- and primary schoolchildren in 2016. To secure food for the school year beginning in October 2016 through June 2017, approximately USD 2 million is required. If funding is not urgently secured,146,000 children will not benefit from school meals programme.

  • Resilience and Rural Development: In the framework of rural development activities in Tamba, Kolda and Kaffrine, 8,302 households received a total of USD 161,000 cash transfers for dry season work.

  • Under the Risk Transfer component of the R4 initiative, 6,842 farmers (including 334 men and 3’615 women) in Koungheul, Tamba and Kolda are insured in 2016. WFP will pay USD 94,925 and farmers USD 7,377, which represents 7% of the overall amount.

  • Targeted Food Assistance to returnees of Ziguinchor: WFP provided 58 MT of food commodities (cereal and pulses) to 384 households (21,606 people) returnees in Ziguinchor who have been affected by the protracted conflict in the Casamance region

  • WFP, UNHCR and NGOs undertook a rapid joint mission to Ziguinchor region to assess the needs and situation of the returnees in order to elaborate a joint assistance strategy for the returnees and repatriated refugees from Guinea and Gambia.

Nigeria: As Boko Haram retreats, concern grows for Nigerian returnees

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Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Country: Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria

UNHCR concerned at conditions as hundreds of internally displaced people head home to devastated villages and towns in liberated areas of north-east Borno state.

GENEVA – Hundreds of internally displaced people are returning to devastated villages and towns recently liberated from Boko Haram in north-east Nigeria’s Borno state, raising concerns about living conditions, basic services and security in the area, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, said today.

The ongoing campaign by Nigerian Government forces in cooperation with the Multi-National Joint Task Force has rolled back gains by the militants, whose insurgency has displaced more than two million people within Nigeria since 2014.

Hundreds of thousands of people in Borno are already in urgent need of help, UNHCR spokesperson Leo Dobbs told a news briefing in Geneva on Friday (September 9), noting that the number of people returning to liberated areas is expected to increase in the coming weeks.

“Comprehensive figures are not available but our field staff and partners are reporting both government-facilitated and spontaneous return in recent days of hundreds of people to places such as Mafa, Konduga, Benisheikh and Dikwa,” Dobbs told reporters at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

“UNHCR is working to ensure returns are conducted in accordance with international standards and in dignity and safety.”

Assistance from the government and aid agencies has been stepped up to the region to help people in 16 newly accessible districts of Borno. UNHCR and its partners have only restricted access to 10 of these districts, where some 800,000 people need urgent help.

Dobbs said some of those now returning to their homes in the liberated areas from places like the Borno capital, Maiduguri, appear to be happy to go back, citing dire conditions in the places where they have been living, including camps for the internally displaced. 

He stressed that UNHCR is concerned about the welfare of the people, who are returning to areas that have been devastated under Boko Haram rule. Many of the internally displaced will be going back to destroyed homes and infrastructure, and areas lacking health care and other services.

“The returns should be voluntary, dignified and safe - people should be informed about conditions in their home areas,” Dobbs said.

“UNHCR is in regular touch with state officials and we have raised our concerns and offered to work closely with them to help ensure that returns are conducted in accordance with international standards and in dignity and safety. We will continue to monitor the situation of returnees, especially the most vulnerable,” he added.

Meanwhile, as UNHCR and partners scale up their operations in the north-east, security and access to the needy, especially those in the newly accessible areas, remain major challenges.  A greater humanitarian response and presence on the ground is urgently needed, aid efforts must be better coordinated, and data collection improved.

The insurgency in north-east Nigeria has forcibly displaced more than 2.25 million people since 2014.

“Most of the displaced are women, children and the elderly. Priority issues that UNHCR and our partners are working on include shelter, food, provision of potable water as well as health concerns, including acute malnutrition and cholera prevention,” Dobbs said.

“Protection issues include sexual and gender-based violence, where we have had successes through community-based protection action groups that encourage dialogue and awareness.”

On the ground, UNHCR continues to work through local partners to carry out vital protection monitoring in Bama, Monguno, Damboa, Konduga, Mafa, Dikwa and including Biu, Bayo, Hawul, Shani and Kwaya Kusar districts in southern Borno.

The UN Refugee Agency has also provided 200 shelters for 1,000 people in Bama and has distributed non-food items to 16,000 people in the past two weeks. Aid includes 10,000 items distributed to people in the Cameroon-Nigeria border town of Banki. In Maiduguri, UNHCR has constructed almost 2,000 semi-permanent shelters for around 10,000 people, and is building emergency shelters for 5,000 people in Dikwa.

The insurgency in north-east Nigeria has forcibly displaced more than 2.25 million people since 2014, including 2.066 million people displaced within the country’s borders and almost 190,000 refugees in neighbouring Cameroon, Niger and Chad. Although the government has rolled back Boko Haram gains since last year, the insurgency has switched to terror attacks and remains a potent threat.

Niger: La technologie facilite la vie des réfugiés maliens au Niger

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Source: World Food Programme
Country: Mali, Niger

Depuis le lancement du bons monétaire en 2013, le PAM et le HCR ont été à la recherche d'un mécanisme plus simple, plus innovant, sécurisé et flexible, pour répondre aux besoins des réfugiés maliens dans le camp de réfugiés Mangaize. En Août, ce projet est devenu une réalité quand les deux organisations ont introduit un nouveau système d’e-coupons qui profitera à des milliers de réfugiés vivant dans l'une des régions les plus difficiles du Niger.

Le bon monétaire a été créé pour donner aux réfugiés la possibilité de choisir leurs propres rations chez les commerçants partenaires du PAM dans le but de diversifier le contenu de leur panier alimentaire. Aujourd’hui, les bons monétaires à base de papier ont été transformés en e-coupons, et peuvent être utilisés chez les mêmes détaillants partenaires du PAM.

Après que HCR ait confirmé le statut et l'identité des familles, les réfugiés sont enregistrés et inscrits dans la plate-forme SCOPE. Il s’agit d’une base de données puissante et flexible ui permet au PAM de mieux assurer le suivi des inscriptions. Une carte électronique est distribuée sur chaque ménage à recharger chaque mois. Dès réception de la carte, les familles de réfugiés se dirigent vers le centre de distribution où les marchands vérifient la propriété de la carte par un code PIN unique.

Moziga Aichatou, 44ans (ci-dessous) a fui le conflit au Mali en 2012 avec son mari, El Hadj Gimraw et leurs 10 enfants. Elle vit dans le camp de Mangaize avec sa famille et a été la première réfugiée à recevoir la carte e-coupons.

« Maintenant, je peux faire les courses comme tout le monde et choisir les aliments que je mange habituellement. Je gagne beaucoup de temps parce que je ne dois plus faire la queue pour recevoir mes rations. Le retour à la normale, me fait du bien », dit-elle.

Pour beaucoup d'autres réfugiés comme Moziga cette carte électronique leur permet de retrouvé de la dignité. Les longues files d'attente pour recevoir les bons en papier sont maintenant un vieux souvenir.

La nouvelle plate-forme apporte des avantages importants pour le PAM, le HCR et leurs partenaires. La carte est émise pour toute la durée de l’assistance alimentaire et se recharge automatiquement, sans frais de transaction. Les commerçants ne sont plus obligés de vérifier l'authenticité des pièces justificatives sur papier ou les compter un par un et la longue chaîne de distribution qui existait avec les coupons en papier a été réduite à une simple interaction entre les détaillants et les réfugiés.

Cette plate-forme permettra également d'améliorer la transparence et la qualité des données, et fournit un moyen plus efficace de collecter les données à des fins de suivi et d'évaluation pour les deux organisations.

On estime que le mécanisme des e-coupons dans le camp Mangaize permet au PAM d'économiser 60.000 USD par an comparé au processus des bons en papier.

À ce jour, près de 9000 réfugiés ont bénéficié des e-coupons. Le PAM compte intensifier l'utilisation des e-coupons à 66.300 personnes vivant dans les autres camps avant la fin de l'année. En 2017, le PAM prévoit d'élargir encore plus l'utilisation de ce nouveau mécanisme d'assistance pour atteindre également les bénéficiaires non-réfugiés.

Rédigé par : Sidiki Traoré Boubacar, le PAM au Niger

Chad: Sahel Crisis 2016: Funding Status as of 09 September 2016

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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Country: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal


Niger: Niger HRP 2016: Funding Status as of 9 September 2016

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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Country: Niger

Niger: Niger - Diffa : Chronology of the Humanitarian Situation in the Diffa Region (as of September 2016)

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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Country: Niger, Nigeria

CONTEXT

Since the declaration of the state of emergency in the northern states of Nigeria (Adamawa, Borno and Yobe) in May 2013, Niger has been facing unprecedented humanitarian challenges, especially in the Diffa region, hosting thousands of Nigerian refugees, returned Nigeriens and nationals of neighbouring countries.

In addition, attacks by armed groups on the Niger territory starting from February 2015 led to internal displacements. Most people who fled insecurity in Nigeria and internally displaced people are in a vulnerable situation. Displacements exacerbate the already fragile livelihoods conditions of the host communities. Important humanitarian needs are identified in food, health care, nutrition, education, acces to water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter and non food items as well as protection.

Niger: Niger: MSF assists hundreds of newly displaced people in eastern Diffa

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Source: Médecins Sans Frontières
Country: Chad, Niger, Nigeria

Over the last few days, more than 200 families from Nigeria and Chad have reached the town of Toumour, located in the east Diffa region, fleeing violence and hunger in their home towns. Most of the new arrivals are women and children. According to their testimonies, they walked for four or five days, though only at night for fear of being attacked by Boko Haram or detained by the army.

A number of the new arrivals were hosted by the local population, many of them displaced people and refugees themselves, who continue to show great solidarity during the new waves of displacement and share the limited resources they have. Despite this support, 77 of the families that recently arrived in Toumour were living in very poor conditions, without enough food or basic necessities. To assist these families, an MSF team has distributed relief kits with household provisions, blankets, mosquito nets and hygiene items.

Djoumai Tchaiman, 28 years old, was one of the refugees who received a relief kit. “I come from Lake Chad, on the border between Nigeria, Chad and Niger,” Djoumai says. “We had been wanting to leave there for a long time due to the insecurity but we couldn’t because we didn’t know where Boko Haram might be. We took the opportunity to flee when there were problems between them and they were going to fight near our village. It was 8pm. After four days walking, we arrived in Toumour – me, my five children, my husband and my parents-in-law. Unfortunately, when we arrived, my husband was arrested by the military as a suspect. Right now, I don’t know where he is.”

At the MSF-supported health centre in Toumour, there have been many medical consultations linked to fatigue and stress among the newly arrived refugees due to the long days of walking and fear of being attacked or arrested. MSF is also providing nutritional support for children under five years of age and their families.

New refugees continue to arrive

In addition to these 200 families, small groups of refugees continue to arrive in Toumour. Although many aid organisations left the area after the attacks that took place last June in the district of Bosso, where Toumour is located, the town still has several services in place, including water points and a health centre where medical attention is free for the entire population. For new arrivals, the main problem is access to food; although there are basic foods in the market, the displaced people have no money to buy them.

“Given the critical situation in the areas of Nigeria and Chad that border Niger, it is likely that Toumour will continue to receive more refugees in such a precarious condition as this last group,” explains Youssouf Demdelé, MSF’s deputy head of mission in Niger. “The population has not been able to grow their own food and is dependent on food distributions. In addition, we are in the middle of the malaria season. There are several humanitarian agencies working in Diffa but there are still areas where more help is needed.”

As the MSF team distributes the relief kits, they are approached by a neighbour of Djoumai Tchaiman. “It’s a very human gesture what you are doing, even though we do not benefit because we were displaced earlier,” she says. “It’s fair. The whole neighbourhood is aware of Djoumai and her children’s situation.”

MSF has been working in Diffa region since December 2014. To improve healthcare for the local and displaced population, MSF is working alongside the Ministry of Health in the main maternal and paediatric health centre in the city of Diffa, in the district hospital in Nguigmi and in several centres in the districts of Diffa, Nguigmi and Bosso. MSF is also providing assistance in Assaga, GarinWanzam and Kintchandi, where thousands of displaced people have settled. In 2015, MSF conducted more than 142,000 medical consultations in the region.

Niger: Testing new ground multisector cash interventions in Mangaize refugee camp, Niger

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Source: Cash Learning Partnership
Country: Mali, Niger

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In the midst of the Mali refugee crisis in Niger, UNHCR implemented one of the first multisector cash transfer projects in Mangaize refugee camp in 2015, providing refugees with grants covering non-food items, hygiene, shelter and livelihood needs. The cash project came on the heels of a successful food voucher program in the same camp implemented jointly with WFP. The voucher program demonstrated the appropriateness and feasibility of cash transfers in a refugee setting. This led to the development of UNHCR’s innovative multisector cash project in Mangaize. With little experience in cash, common sense and a strong country team, UNHCR developed a successful multisector cash project in combination with other support mechanisms to stimulate refugees capabilities to become self-sufficient.

Good practices demonstrated by the project and appropriate to the context include alignment with national social protection systems as an exit strategy for humanitarian caseloads. The key challenges to operationalising multisector and multipurpose cash in the region include gaps in strategic leadership and coordination, situation analysis, market analysis, and risk mitigation. Opportunities include leveraging increasingly integrated partnerships, and investing in new technologies such as mobile money.

UNHCR’s experience in Mangaize holds important lessons for the agency’s transition from multisector cash to multipurpose cash in refugee settings. It can facilitate a broader introduction of multipurpose cash by the cash community of practice across Niger and the West Africa region.

World: Education for refugees: Priority activities and requirements supporting enrolment and retention in 2016

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Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Country: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, World, Zambia

Introduction

Education is a basic human right, enshrined in both the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child. And during times of displacement, education plays an additional, crucial role in fostering social cohesion, addressing psychosocial needs, and providing a safe and stable environment for those who need it most.

Yet globally it is estimated that only 50 per cent of refugee children of primary-school age are actually in school, a number that drops to 25 per cent for adolescent refugees in secondary school. Indeed, refugee children and adolescents are five times more likely to be out of school than their non-refugee peers. Continued, sustainable access to quality education thus remains a key concern for the roughly eight million refugees under UNHCR’s mandate who are under 18 years of age.

Compounding the challenge of addressing these vast needs are the diverse contexts in which they arise, from unfolding emergencies to protracted situations. Eighty-six per cent of all refugees are hosted in developing countries, some of which are confronting institutional challenges in their education systems and have limited capacity to support new populations. Behind global averages, there are significant differences among countries, but the fact remains: far too many refugees are excluded from an education, compromising the future of entire generations.

Through its global “2012 – 2016 Education Strategy” and country-level education strategies, UNHCR supports the provision of refugee education as a core element of its mandate to ensure protection and durable solutions for people of concern. Partnering with governments and international and national non-governmental organizations, UNHCR seeks to integrate refugee learners within national systems wherever possible and appropriate.

Focusing on 16 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East – which collectively host 2.1 million refugee children of school-age (5-17 years), an estimated 57 per cent of whom are out of school – this document highlights targeted activities and requirements that could enable tens of thousands of refugee children to enrol in school during the upcoming academic year. These activities also seek to support retention of currently enrolled students; redress classroom over-crowding and a lack of qualified teachers; provide critical learning materials; and generally contribute to a safe and protective learning environment for all students. In some instances, especially where refugees are living in host communities, these activities will enhance the learning experience of host community students as well.

This information is drawn from UNHCR’s 2016 budget, as presented in the 2016-2017 Global Appeal and subsequent supplemental appeals approved by the Executive Committee. The requirements outlined correspond to existing unfunded needs for activities which UNHCR could reasonably implement by the end of this year. Individual chapters provide an overview of the refugee and education context in each of the 16 countries, followed by a description of critical challenges and proposed activities. The table that follows specifies remaining funding requirements for planned activities, providing relevant performance indicators, comparably 2015 year-end results (where applicable), and output targets for the activities by year-end 2016. 10 August 2016

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