Migration flows
Niger is a major transit country for West and Central African migrants towards Libya and Algeria. IOM estimates that up to 100,000 migrants will pass through Niger in 2015. In addition, thousands of Nigerien citizens are migrating to North Africa each year, making Niger also an important country of origin of migrants.
Assistance to migrants
IOM runs 4 transit centers in Niger through which information and assistance is provided to stranded, returning or particular vulnerable migrants. IOM provides, in cooperation with the French and the Nigerien Red Cross temporary accommodation in the centers, food, medical and psycho-social support as well as voluntary return to and reintegration assistance in the country of origin.
Mixed Flows : Refugees and Migrants
Among the migrants transiting through Niger is a limited number of persons falling under UNHCR’s international protection mandate. To identify such persons UNHCR and IOM have set-up a referral system. Yet, referrals in 2014 were very low as these migrants have as only option to apply for asylum in Niger. In case they succeed, they will have the right to stay in Niger. So far no resettlement to third countries has taken place. It has also been observed that in recent years a majority of asylum seekers in Niger does not wait for a decision but abandons the asylum procedures and decide to move on to other countries.
