Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Migration in Niger May 2015
21 COUNTRIES 2 COUNTRIES Mali and Nigeria, the countries of origin of origin of recognized refugees for 99% of refugees in Niger and pending asylum seekers in Niger
Mali and Nigeria Prima facie Other countries
Individual recognition
99% 1%
Countries of origin of refugees, asylum seekers in Niger & Top 5 countries of origin of migrants passing through Niger
SYRIA
IRAQ IRAN
LYBIA ALGERIA Sebha
Tamnarasset
SENEGAL CHAD Niamey Bamako Diffa GAMBIA SUDAN GUINEA
NIGERIA SOMALIA GUINEA ETHIOPIA Lagos CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC CAMEROON LIBERIA COTE D'IVOIRE TOGO
Countries of origin from which refugees are recognized on a prima facie basis RWANDA Countries of origin from which refugees are recognized CONGO D.R CONGO on a individual status determination procedure Main countries of origin of migrants to Libya and Algeria BURUNDI The boundaries and names used Migrant transit points on this map do not imply official Common migration routes to Libya and Algeria endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
Migration flows Niger is a major transit country for West and Central African migrants towards Libya and Algeria. IOM estimates that up to 100,000 migrants will pass through Niger in 2015. In addition, thousands of Nigerien citizens are migrating to North Africa each year, making Niger also an important country of origin of migrants. Assistance to migrants IOM runs 4 transit centers in Niger through which information and assistance is provided to stranded, returning or particular vulnerable migrants. IOM provides, in cooperation with the French and the Nigerien Red Cross temporary accommodation in the centers, food, medical and psycho-social support as well as voluntary return to and reintegration assistance in the country of origin. Mixed Flows : Refugees and Migrants Among the migrants transiting through Niger is a limited number of persons falling under UNHCR’s international protection mandate. To identify such persons UNHCR and IOM have set-up a referral system. Yet, referrals in 2014 were very low as these migrants have as only option to apply for asylum in Niger. In case they succeed, they will have the right to stay in Niger. So far no resettlement to third countries has taken place. It has also been observed that in recent years a majority of asylum seekers in Niger does not wait for a decision but abandons the asylum procedures and decide to move on to other countries. Turn page Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Migration in Niger May 2015 Background information Niger is a signatory of the international refugee conventions (1951 Convention & 1967 Protocol, the 1969 OAU Convention) and has adopted a national refugee legislation. Niger has become a major country of asylum: KEY EVENTS
Dec 1990 January 2012 May 2013 With the regime change in Chad, thousands When fighting broke out in Northern Mali, Following the crisis in northeastern Nigeria thousands of people fled to Niger and were recognized thousands of people fled the country, Niger of people have been forced to seek refuge in neighbouring countries including Niger. An estimated on a prima facie basis. Today about 150 recognizes Malian refugees on a prima facie 100,000 displaced persons (Nigerian refugees and persons of this caseload remain in Niger. basis currently hosts nearly 50,000 Malian Undocumented Niger nationals) are currently hosted in Diffa region. Individual asylum requests and refugee status determination Asylum seekers from all other nationalities need to individually request asylum with the National Commission of Eligibility for Refugee Status, responsible for refugee status determination. 206 individually recognized refugees currently live in Niger and 106 asylum seekers await the decision on their cases.
Average time of processing individual request Average time of processing appeal request 19 MONTHS 14 MONTHS from the introduction of asylum request to the notification of the first from the appeal to the notification of the final decision instance decision
Sebha LIBYA Localization of refugee camps and migrant reception centers
UNHCR Representation UNHCR Sub Office Tamnarasset UNHCR Field Office Urban Refugees
Camp ALGERIA Arlit Dirkou Refugee Hosting Area
Refugee Entry point
IOM Reception center AGADEZ Migration routes
Tazalite MALI
TAHOUA Intekan Mangaize Abala Kablewa ZINDER Tabareybarey CHAD Goure TILLABERI Sayam Forage MARADI NIAMEY DIFFA
DOSSO BURKINA NIGERIA BENIN
# of recognized refugees by country of origin on # of pending individual requests by country of origin Asylum decisions in 2013 and 2014 the basis of an individual request (Total=206) (Total=106) Syrian Arab Dem. Rep. of Libya, 2 Rep., 1 the Congo, 4 Dem. Rep. of the Others, 45 Congo, 69 32 Individuals 34 Individuals rejected Côte d'Ivoire, recognized Central 15 African Rep., 11 Rwanda, 26 67 Individuals Central abandoned the African Rep., asylum Côte 83 procedure d'Ivoire, 55
As of 31 December 2014 Turn page