Tens of thousands flee violence in Nigeria and face growing crisis in Niger

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is warning of a deepening humanitarian and protection emergency in Niger, Nigeria and Benin.

Nearly 64,000 people have arrived in Niger fleeing violence in northern Nigeria since the beginning of the year, adding to the growing humanitarian needs in a country already hosting more than half a million refugees and asylum-seekers, including some 327,500 from Nigeria, alongside people displaced within Niger itself.

The impact of the violence is also being felt further afield, with several hundred Nigerians seeking refuge in neighbouring Benin. Although the numbers remain relatively small compared to arrivals in Niger, these movements highlight the widening geographical impact of insecurity in northern Nigeria and the increasing distances families are travelling in search of safety.

Most arrivals have sought safety in Diffa, in south-eastern Niger, and Tahoua, in western Niger, both bordering Nigeria and already grappling with insecurity, climate shocks and overstretched services. In October alone, some 1,200 people crossed into Diffa and another 3,400 into Tahoua, as violence continued to force families from their homes. Thousands of newly arrived refugees, many of them children, are struggling to survive with limited access to food, clean water, shelter and essential services, as humanitarian resources fall critically short.

In Diffa, more than 23,000 people, over two-thirds of them children, have arrived since the beginning of the year. Many are living in makeshift shelters that offer little protection from the elements, while access to clean water remains a major challenge. Refugee women describe having to walk several kilometres to collect water for their families. With no nearby health facilities or schools, families are struggling to meet even their most basic needs.

Humanitarian partners report high levels of malnutrition, poor hygiene and widespread respiratory infections, while severe funding shortages continue to hamper the emergency response.

Protection concerns are growing. Only around 5 per cent of Nigerian refugees who arrived this year have been registered, as registration only recently began due to limited resources. Without documentation, refugees face additional barriers to accessing assistance and essential services, leaving them exposed to heightened protection risks. Education is another major concern, particularly for children arriving from Nigeria’s English-language-based education system, with no schools or transitional classes at some locations.

Insecurity and climate-related pressures are further compounding humanitarian needs. In Diffa, more than 70 per cent of the country’s reported security incidents, including armed attacks and violence against civilians, have occurred since the beginning of the year. Drought and irregular rainfall during the 2026 rainy season have severely affected agricultural production and pastureland in Diffa. Grain production is expected to be insufficient in around 700 of 1,000 villages in the area, while an estimated 70 per cent of pasture has been lost. Refugee families are arriving in communities whose own resources and livelihoods are already under immense strain.

Despite these mounting challenges, Niger’s authorities and host communities continue to demonstrate remarkable solidarity, including by making land available for temporary shelter. However, their capacity to support growing numbers of refugees is increasingly stretched, and greater international assistance is urgently needed.

UNHCR is working closely with the authorities, UN agencies and humanitarian partners to respond to immediate needs. An urgent scale-up of humanitarian assistance, stronger coordination and additional operational partners are needed to address critical gaps in water, food, shelter, health care, registration and protection. Beyond emergency assistance, greater investment is needed in livelihoods and longer-term solutions.

UNHCR is seeking $11.4 million to scale up the emergency and solutions response in Niger, Nigeria and Benin, including a $2 million appeal for immediate critical needs to support water, food, shelter, health care, registration and protection.

UNHCR urges the international community to urgently fill these critical gaps while investing in more stable, sustainable futures for refugees and host communities. Without additional resources, thousands of vulnerable families risk being left without essential assistance and protection as displacement continues.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).