Summary of revisions made to emergency plan of action:
Operations Update n° 6 requests a 6 months extension of the Emergency Appeal (until December 2016). The need for the extension is due to repeated attacks throughout Diffa that keeps the Region in a constant state of emergency, thus interfering with the launch of any recovery activities. Several attacks have been recorded since the beginning of the year 2016, and deteriorated towards the end of May .Considering the current situation, the emergency relief needs are still high, as newly-affected internally displaced populations continue to occur affecting the population from Boso, Yebi, Toumour and Chetimari. The needs of the newly affected population estimated at 240,000 persons are still high.
The operation was budgeted on a total of 851,786 Swiss franc to enable the IFRC support the Niger Red Cross Society (NRCS) to deliver assistance to 50,000 beneficiaries. The revision will enable the NRCS to address the initial and new needs according to the current security situation in the new zones of intervention in Diffa and prioritizing the following sectors: health and care; water, sanitation, and hygiene promotion; food security, nutrition, and livelihoods; shelter; social cohesion and National Society capacity building. As of the moment of this update, 594,969 Swiss franc (70%) have been mobilised and spent, but the new development will require an additional budget to address the increased needs.
The current situation
Since the beginning of the conflict in the Northern part of Nigeria, Diffa region has been the main destination of the population movement from Nigeria. Despite the ongoing humanitarian assistance which started at the beginning of the conflict in 2014, the security situation has deteriorated and continued to affect thousands of internally displaced population (both refugees and host population). This precarious situation has been worsened by the attacks and the activities of the armed group Boko Haram, which have resulted in killings, destruction of properties, as well as thefts of food and non-food items. A multi country military operation is being mobilised to fight the Boko Haram group. From the beginning of 2016, more than 30 attacks have been recorded in Diffa. In less than 4 weeks (May –June), there have been more than 5 attacks. Two (2) of the attacks were recorded in Yebi, 2 in Bosso and 1 in Gadori. Another deadly clash between the National military and Boko Haram was reported in Kablewa. The attack of Yebi led to 23 deaths and 5 wounded, while homes were destroyed , food and non-food taken by the Boko Haram. The second attack left 9 dead and 6 wounded (all civilians). Between 2nd and 3rd June, the clash between the National Army and Boko Haram group in Kablewa left more than 10 dead and precipitated the movement of thousands of people. Currently population movement is being reported from all these areas of conflict to safer regions.
On 3rd June, the village of Bosso was attacked again (32 soldiers died in the attack), administrative buildings destroyed and valuable items have been taken away. Yebi and Bosso were hosting more than 100,000 displaced people however following the attacks people are leaving these villages to Toumour. However Toumour is becoming unsafe following the departure of the National army which was providing security to the community.
Through the contribution from American Red Cross, the British Red Cross, Canada Red Cross Society, Japanese Red Cross Society, Red Cross of Monaco, the Netherlands Red Cross, the Swedish Red Cross, the DREF has been replenished and plan of action is being implemented as planned. The IFRC, on behalf of the Red Cross Society of Niger would like to extend many thanks to all partners for their generous contributions and support. However, more support is still needed to address the unmet needs and achieve the entire plan of action especially the outcomes related to food and nutritional security, livelihoods and social cohesion.