New York, NY, December 15, 2020 鈥 The 探花精选 condemns yet another senseless attack on civilian populations by armed groups in the Diffa region of Niger on 12th December. The 探花精选 has mobilized its teams in Niger and stands ready to assist displaced populations with shelter kits and basic household goods for immediate use.
Paolo Cernuschi, 探花精选 Niger Country Director said:
鈥淲e are appalled at the barbaric nature of this attack. Not only were 28 civilians killed; but 800 homes were burned and livestock on which people depended, were also slaughtered. Civilians should never be a target, and this fundamental principle must be upheld in conflict situations by all parties. 探花精选 stands with the people of Niger and remains committed to its core mission of delivering life-saving humanitarian assistance in the region, even in the face of rising insecurity.鈥
The Lake Chad basin is already one of the most insecure regions in the Sahel and has been reeling from years of food insecurity, weather shocks, violence and extremism. Violence has displaced over 260,000 people in Diffa alone since 2009 and in 2019, civilian deaths in the Niger region rose by a staggering 2400% compared to 2016.
The 探花精选 has been working in Niger since 2013. We support displaced populations and local communities in the Diffa, Tillaberi and Agadez regions and play a leading role in the rapid response mechanism in Niger. We provide vulnerable populations with cash transfers, food vouchers and agricultural support, and protection programs for women and children. The 探花精选鈥檚 health response includes screening and treating severely malnourished children and providing health care centers with essential equipment and medicine. Learn more about 探花精选鈥檚 Niger response.