HIGHLIGHTS
In Nigeria, the security situation in the north-east is volatile as fighting continues between the insurgents and the Multinational Joint Task Force. The insurgents continue to sack communities, worship centres and other public structures in the north-east. The Nigerian Government recently unfolded a ‘North-East Marshall Plan’ (NEMAP) aimed at assisting those internally displaced by the insurgency.
In Niger, there have been numerous attacks in the Bosso department over the last month. At least 25 people have died, villages have been burnt to the ground and populations forced to flee from their homes. UN agencies have not been able to access Bosso since February 2015 but local authorities have returned to providing escorts to humanitarians in order for interventions to take place.
In Cameroon, the security situation remains precarious and volatile. During the reporting period, clashes between the Cameroonian army and the insurgents resulted in 27 civilian deaths and many torched homes. Spontaneous arrivals originating from the affected border villages continue to be registered at the Gourounguel transit centre.
In Chad, a state of emergency was declared on 11 November in the Lake Region following the 10 attacks that took place during the month of October. Vehicle and foot traffic are forbidden, security zones have been established, public gatherings are forbidden, and raids authorized at any time of day; furthermore, the press and radio are under state control.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Operational Context
NIGERIA– The security situation in the north-east is volatile as fighting continues between the insurgents and the Multinational Joint Task Force. The insurgents continued to sack communities, worship centres and other public structures. The Nigerian Government recently unfolded a ‘North-East Marshall Plan’ (NEMAP) aimed at assisting those internally displaced by the insurgency. Over USD 450 million have been allocated for this purpose. Further provisions will be made in the long term to address the needs of IDPs that are unable to return home.
NIGER– There have been numerous attacks in the Bosso department over the last month. At least 25 people have died, villages have been burnt to the ground and populations forced to flee from their homes. UN agencies have not been able to access this part of the region since February 2015 but local authorities are providing escorts in order for interventions to take place once again. The reason behind this development is primarily linked to the need of populations in the area to be relocated to safety. Authorities will therefore be providing escorts and support to the humanitarian community in order for profiling, and assistance to take place. While the Red Cross and MSF have been physically present throughout the year, UNHCR has provided basic health services through Action Pour le Bien-Etre (APBE) under its remote management framework. There are urgent needs in the shelter, food, WASH, and education sectors and the Bosso Prefect has planned to hold monthly meetings with humanitarian actors to monitor the situation. The security situation in the Diffa region as whole remains volatile and the state of emergency has been extended until January 2016.
CAMEROON– Ms. Annick Girardin, the French secretary of State for Development and Francophonie visited Maroua on 3 November to take stock of the situation in the Far North, in company of the French Ambassador to Cameroon and the Director of the French Red Cross. She was informed of the coordination and humanitarian intervention activities that have taken place to date and made aware of existing gaps. From 20 to 22 October the UNHCR Representative in Cameroon visited the Far North region. During this mission, he showed solidarity to the local authorities and humanitarian colleagues. He met with administrative and traditional authorities and discussed Minawao’s water shortage issue, and plans to supply water through a river near Mokolo as advocating that a new camp be provided by the authorities has not yielded results. Alternative solutions are being looked into, to find a durable solution for the gaps in water provision, which are currently being covered through water trucking. On the same occasion, he presented two pickup vehicles (to reinforce escorts), school supplies, three newly constructed classrooms and a security post to the authorities, in support of their efforts in favour of the refugees. The security situation remains precarious and volatile. During the reporting period, clashes between the Cameroonian army and the insurgents resulted in 27 civilian deaths and many torched homes. Spontaneous arrivals originating from the affected border villages continue to be registered at the Gourounguel transit centre.
CHAD– A state of emergency was declared on 11 November in the Lake Region following the 10 attacks that took place during the month of October. Vehicle and foot traffic are forbidden, security zones have been established, public gatherings forbidden, and raids authorised at any time of day; furthermore, the press and radio are under state control. Local authorities in the Mamdi department have proposed to relocate Kafia and Kousseri IDP sites and Dar Es Salam refugee camp. Since authorities voiced this idea a number of population movements have been reported. The Kousseri site is reportedly empty and UNHCR is following up on the whereabouts of its former inhabitants. The IDPs are thought to have departed from Kousseri between 20 and 27 October in a spontaneous manner, following the Government’s decision and for pre-emptive reasons, should there be another insurgent attack. Part of the Kafia site population is also reported to have left. On 28 October, the humanitarian country team (HCT) called on humanitarian actors to carry on with their activities, while it awaits further information on these recent movements, the needs that may derive from them, and the eventual relocation by the Government. UNHCR voiced its preference for the local integration of refugees into the local community instead of relocation. Discussions are underway with Chadian authorities to this effect.