At least 30 civilians killed in four days. Dozens more wounded. Some 380 houses burned to the ground or destroyed. Kidnappings, assassinations and cross-fire. The latest violence in Nguigmi and other locations in Diffa, between 23 and 26 March, have left a trail of destruction and psychological trauma. The worsening conflict around Lake Chad is taking an increasingly heavy toll on local communities, internally displaced and refugees in southeastern Niger. Thousands of people have been uprooted again recently, and the humanitarian situation keeps deteriorating as people’s need for assistance has outgrown relief organisations’ capacities.

Boulama, a Nigerian refugee living in Nguigmi, is recovering from terrible loss, including the death of his 7-year-old daughter, who was killed by fire.

“We heard explosions and thought it was nothing. But then I saw a person coming towards me, and I screamed so that my wife could take our children and escape,” said Boulama. “Our community is in mourning. We need all possible support, food and shelter as we have lost children and belongings. I am a tailor, I earn a living by sewing, but my machine is burnt.”

Escalation of violence across Diffa

Eyewitnesses and local authorities from Nguigmi reported that two people carrying improvised explosive devices blew themselves up in two different locations of the town on the evening of 26 March. At the same time, several gunmen allegedly set fire to makeshift shelters and tents in camps for internally displaced people and refugees, who saw their homes and belongings reduced to ashes. This was just the latest of a series of violent episodes in the region, as escalating volatility is intensifying people’s suffering and forcing many to flee.

Previous attacks had also prompted hundreds to leave their villages behind. On 23 March, for example, armed groups killed 19 people in the villages of Nguagam and El Mainari, setting fire to buildings. A mosque, the market, as well as houses and shops, were destroyed, and animals burned. On the same day, two fishermen were slaughtered in Chetimari Gremahartori.

According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 90 people were killed in the Diffa region in March. Furthermore, 15,000 newly displaced people have been registered. Most are now living in precarious conditions. Malam Issa, from Nigeria, was also living in Nguigmi and is very concerned about the future.

“What happened was a shock for us: losing parents, children, belongings… I’m having nightmares because I was the one who collected the burned corpse of my father,” said Malam. “My children are traumatised and cannot sleep.”

“I am overwhelmed. I don’t know how I will manage to survive as a labourer with my wife, my children, my mother, my stepmother and my younger brothers,” said Malam. “Security is not guaranteed, and we don’t have food or shelter. Only the people who come to express their condolences give us some money.”

“My children and I are having nightmares”

Following recent attacks, teams from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) stepped in to support the treatment of the wounded at Nguigmi hospital, evacuating the most severely injured to the regional hospital in the town of Diffa in three ambulances and another MSF vehicle.

“My husband was injured by Boko Haram on the night of the attack and was transferred to Diffa by MSF because of his wounds,” says Atchagana, a 30-year-old woman from Nigeria, who fled to Niger on foot with her family to escape violence by armed groups, and is now living in Nguigmi. “We are worried about his health condition, and because we lost everything in the fire: mattresses, clothes, food… This situation is distressing us. My children and I are having nightmares because Boko Haram may come back at any time.”

MSF teams have distributed essential relief items including mosquito nets, jerry cans, kitchen utensils, blankets and hygiene items to 380 families, or over 2,200 people. Our psychologists offered immediate mental health support for children and adults, organising individual and group psychosocial sessions for nearly 400 people. They found that many were struggling with depression, insomnia and other symptoms linked to the traumatic experiences they had undergone.

In addition, our teams provided similar assistance to people affected by the recent fires in Toumour, while water and sanitation teams are constructing 100 latrines for some 400 households in areas struck by the conflict.

“People are resilient, but many are on the edge: facing multiple deprivations and mental health problems,” indicates Souleymane Ba, MSF project coordinator in Diffa. “Some fled their country of origin and find themselves at increasing risk here; others were living peacefully in the region until the conflict began and now live in permanent fear. Recurrent attacks by armed groups have deepened the humanitarian crisis in Lake Chad. The current state of affairs is dire.”

MSF teams continue monitoring the situation and are ready to offer additional help if need be. Other aid organisations are also providing assistance. However, considering the scale of the crisis, an increased mobilisation is urgently required to meet people’s needs for food, shelter, clean water and sanitation, among other priorities.