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Recent Attack in Western Niger Sends More Then 1,000 Fleeing

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - TheU.N. refugee agency reports more than 1,000 people have
   fled a site in western Niger following anattack by unidentified armed
   men on Sunday. The group -- a mix of Malian refugees, displaced and
   local Niger nationals -- has arrived in the town ofTelemces, some 27
   kilometers away.

   Theattack, which occurred about 70 kilometers from the Malian
   border,lefttwo Malian refugee leaders and a local host community
   leaderdead. The U.N. refugee agency says it fears more deadly
   assaultswill occur in this volatile region.

   The agencysaid there has been a sharp increase in attacks in the past
   few months in the LiptakoGourmaregion where the borders of Burkina
   Faso, Mali and Niger intersect. UNHCR spokesman AndrejMahecictold VOA
   armed groups operating in the area are deliberately targeting local
   communities to drive people further inland in Niger.

   "It is clear that thisis an area where they see the possibility of
   being able to use the border area between the three countries and to
   operate with impunity," Mahecic said. "Obviously, that is why it is so
   important that there is a response to this."

   While security is important,Mahecicsaid it also is important totake
   into accountthe huge humanitarian and displacement needs in the region.

   Militant Islamist groups and armed criminal gangs operating in the
   Sahel have terrorized the civilian population for years, creating a
   huge displacement crisis. The UNHCR reports more than three million
   people are displaced in the region, includingan estimated820,000
   refugees.

   Mahecicsaid the UNHCR, alongwith partners and local authorities,are
   providing immediate aid to those fleeing, especially water so people do
   not die of thirst in the desert heat. He said water also is needed to
   help fight COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

   "Despite violent attacks and insecurity severely limiting humanitarian
   access to those in need of protection and assistance, we are stepping
   up our response in Niger, focusing especially on providing shelter,
   education and programs to prevent and address sexual and gender-based
   violence," Mahecic said.

   The UNHCRhascondemnedwhat it calls the assassination of the Malian
   refugee leaders.It is calling on all sides to respect civilian
   lives.The agencysays those responsible for these crimes must be brought
   to justice to deter others from committing similar acts.

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