NIGER Humanitarian Situation Report No. 02 Jongh UNICEFNiger/ @ Reporting Period: 01 to 29 February 2020 Highlights Situation in Numbers 1.6 million • Non-state armed groups continued to undertake frequent asymmetric attacks against Nigerian security forces in Tillaberi region (7 attacks registered). Non- children in need of humanitarian state armed groups operating in Tillaberi and Diffa regions also carried out assistance attacks targeting civilian populations. 2.9 million • Attacks on education personnel and premises remained of great concern. people in need Extremist militants continuously targeted teaching staff and in Tillaberi region, (OCHA, Humanitarian Response Plan (e.g. two teachers injured from gunshots in Desa, on 7 February; schools burned Niger, 2020) down in Famale, Sakoira, Taroum between 10 and 13 February). 396,539 • In the region of Diffa, the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) was a cause children affected by SAM nationwide of concern, as demonstrated by the explosion of an IED near the mayor's office (OCHA, Humanitarian Response in Gueskerou on 19 February, where 2 civilians were killed. Plan Niger, 2020) • Since the beginning of the year, there have been 870 cases of measles at national 46,063 level and 3 deaths, and 7 districts are already in epidemic. UNICEF is providing support to the Ministry of Health with the purchase of vaccines and other Internally displaced children in material to ensure a contingency stock for vaccine response. Tillabery / Tahoua, out of • As of 29th of February 2020, RRM conducted 19 rapid assessments (10 ERP, 6 80,844 MSA, and 3 Flash) in the regions of Diffa, Maradi, Tahoua and Tillaberi. In Internally displaced people in February, RRM partners provided NFI assistance to more than 6,200 affected Tillabery / Tahoua (UNHCR, Dec 2019) persons (941 households). 259,591 people affected by floods (Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Civil Protection, 15/11/2019, MAH) UNICEF’s Response and Funding Status SAM admissions 8% Funding status 34% UNICEF Appeal 2020 Nutrition Measles vaccination 0% US$ 62.2 millions Health Funding status 10% Safe water access 0% Carry forward, WASH Funding status 11% $6.5M Funds MHPSS access 11% Received $7.3M Child Funding status 15% Protection Education access 32% Funding status 1% Education Funding gap, NFI distribution 8% $48.4M NFI Funding status 31% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% *Funding available includes carry-over and funds received in the current year. 1 Funding Overview and Partnership In 2020, UNICEF is appealing for US$ 62.2M to provide life-saving services to women and children affected by several crisis in Niger, in coordination with other humanitarian actors within the framework of the Humanitarian Response Plan 2020, and in partnerships with government and NGOs. The funds carry-over from the previous year amounts to USD 6.5M and funding received so far amounts to about USD 7.3M, leaving a funding gap of 78% at the end of February 2020. UNICEF expresses its sincere gratitude to all public and private donors for the contributions received. Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs Humanitarian Needs Overview: According to the 2020 Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) published in January 2020, 2.9 million people in Niger need humanitarian assistance, including 1.6 M children. The needs analysis shows the persistence of five major crises affecting the country: food insecurity, malnutrition, epidemics, floods and population movements due to conflict or migration. The 2020 Humanitarian Response Plan was launched in February 2020: 1,8 million people are targeted for a budget of 399,9 M USD. In partnership with government and NGOs, UNICEF continues to provide multisectoral and coordinated assistance to affected population, both through an emergency approach to assist the most vulnerable populations immediately after a shock, and through longer terms interventions to guarantee durable solutions. Tillaberi and Tahoua: Access remains very limited due to continuous insecurity, to a cumbersome civil-military coordination process; field missions are frequently cancelled due to incidents and/or armed group activities. Lack of access is slowing down program implementation. Diffa: The presence of several active armed groups and the multiplication of their actions, especially against civilians, suggest that the situation in the area will continue to deteriorate in the next months. Summary Analysis of Programme Response Nutrition UNICEF, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and respective regional and health districts, supports the treatment of SAM children nationwide. Lake Chad Basin crisis As mid of February (week 7), 1,929 under-five children suffering from SAM were admitted for treatment in Diffa region. Compared to the same period of last year, a decrease of 64% and 5% was observed respectively in inpatient and outpatient facilities, mainly due to the low rate of completeness. Mali Border crisis (Tahoua and Tillabery regions) As mid of February (week 7), 9,727 under-five children suffering from SAM were admitted for treatment in Tahoua and Tillaberi regions. Compared to the same period of last year, a decrease of 5 % in inpatient facilities but a slight increase of 1% in outpatient facilities. National crisis As mid of February (week 7), 33,578 under-five children suffering from SAM were admitted for treatment, including 3,110 cases with medical complications. This is representing 8.5% of the annual target. Compared to the same period of last year, a decrease of 24% and 8% was observed respectively in inpatient and outpatient facilities. Health Lake Chad Basin crisis The situation in Diffa region in February 2020 was characterized by the notification of suspected measles cases: 6 cases including 4 children under the age of five. One suspected case of diphtheria and another of meningitis reported during the month. The Diffa humanitarian community carried out a joint mission to assess the support provided to people affected by the October 2019 floods in the commune of Gueskerou, Awaridi and Bagara and to highlight the possible gaps. As part of newborn care basics in emergency situations, a training of trainers on the Possible Serious Bacterial Infection (PSBI) protocol took place at the beginning of February and involved around twenty staff from three districts of the region of Diffa. These trainers in turn will train health workers on this protocol. A group of HAC (Humanitarian Action for Children) donors visited Diffa and had the opportunity to see all the efforts made by UNICEF in the Diffa region to assist women and children affected by the current crisis. 2 WASH Lake Chad Basin crisis In February, UNICEF and WASH Cluster actors provided 2,398 people (IDPs and host communities) with sustainable access to safe water including 1,398 people with UNICEF support; 1,157 people with access to emergency safe water; 4,064 people with access to sanitation infrastructure including 2,100 people with UNICEF support and 7,114 people were reached with hygiene promotion including 2,912 people with UNICEF support. Otherwise, 558 malnourished children received WASH in nutrition kits at community level. Mali border crisis (Tahoua and Tillaberi regions) A total of 114 people gained access to sustainable water supply with UNICEF support since January in Tillaberi region. Moreover, 54 malnourished children received WASH in nutrition kits by WASH Cluster Actors in Tahoua region. Other crises In Maradi region, 6,636 people were reached with hygiene promotion through Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) in emergency with UNICEF support and 1,500 gained access to sustainable water supply provided by WASH Cluster actors. Education Lake Chad Basin crisis Access: During the month of February, 40 school have been built and awareness activities have been undertaken for parents, therefore, 2,368 children out of school (including 1,149 girls) were enrolled to school thanks to UNICEF funding in partnership with COOPI, CONCERN Worldwide and Plan international. Quality: In Diffa region, 6,348 students (including 5,115 girls) have benefited from math and reading textbooks and 761 students joined classrooms whose teachers were trained in psychosocial support, but also on the use of referral methodology to detect signs of distress. In addition to this, the implementing partners of activities financed by UNICEF (NGOs COOPI, CONCERN and Plan international) trained 125 teachers in conflicts and disasters risk analysis, in education for peace and non-violence in schools, on gender-based violence, hygiene issues including menstrual hygiene. 64 girls received dignity kits for menstrual hygiene. Mali Border Crisis (Tahoua and Tillaberi régions) Access: In February 2020, with funding from Education Cannot Wait (ECW), UNICEF and its implementing partner NGO COOPI, implemented the radio education program in the Tillaberi region. This program is offered to 6,000 out- of-school children (including 3,060 girls) who do not have access to formal education infrastructures due to the crisis. This activity is carried out in 120 listening clubs led by 120 trained facilitators (including 58 women). In view of the opening of alternative education centers (CEA) and community kindergartens, 30 CEA facilitators and 11 others from kindergartens were trained. As part of CERF funding, schools received 92 buckets, and 46 easel boards to equip classrooms and 184 handwashing devices. Quality: In Tillaberi and Tahoua regions, 9,500 students, including 4,560 girls, have been provided with textbooks and reading books thanks to UNICEF support. 191 teachers, including 97 women, received master guides in French and in mathematics. 46 schools received recreational kits consisting of soccer balls, handball, puzzle, dominoes and skipping ropes to allow students to carry out recreational activities. National crisis: In Agadez district, the UNICEF partner (NGO INTERSOS), monitors asylum-seeking children who are enrolled to schools. Among the 91 children enrolled, 42 are still in schools in Agadez while 49 have been transferred or are in the process of being transferred to schools in the Hamdallaye district located at about 25 km from Niamey.