Thousands of Nigerian refugees flee to Chad in Boko Haram attacks

Thousands of people fleeing from attacks by Boko Haram sect in northeast Nigeria have been arriving daily in Chad's lakeside region which is not easily accessible, a UN agency has said in a report released Thursday.

"Between Jan. 3-20, 2015, over 14,000 people have found refuge in Chad's lake region, running away from Boko Haram attacks in northern Nigeria," the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in its report.

Due to the wave of arrivals, there are now 16,851 people who have arrived in Chad from Nigeria. Among them, there are 7,062 who have been registered as refugees by the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), some 1,113 Chadian returnees and some 400 Cameroonians.

According to OCHA, the priority needs that have been identified are lack of shelter, insecurity (transfer and registration of refugees in safer zones, prevention of gender based violence and protection of non-accompanied children), health, access to water, food and education.

"There's need for urgent relocation of 7,000 Nigerian refugees currently living on small islands in inaccessible parts of the lakeside region," the humanitarian agency said in its report.

But whereas the humanitarian response is focused on assistance to refugees, there have been persistent fears concerning the humanitarian situation of the local population, Chadians returning from Nigeria, nationals of other countries who have also been fleeing Boko Haram attacks and the internally displaced persons.

"Reinforcement of socio-community support is essential for the lakeside's local population of 37,000 people who are now living in deplorable conditions," said the document released by OCHA office in Chad.

Boko Harm militants have haunted northern Nigeria for years, attacking government officials, civilians and churches. The Islamist group also posed great security challenges to neighboring countries like Cameroon. Endi