Niger appeals for aid for those displaced by Boko Haram

The Nigerien government on Wednesday made an "urgent" appeal for international solidarity to help hundreds of thousands of people who have been displaced due to repeated attacks by Boko Haram terrorist group in the country's southeast region of Diffa, near the border with Nigeria.

Following the group's latest attack on June 3 that targeted Nigerien army in Diffa, leaving at least 30 soldiers dead, over 50,000 people fled from their homes.

Today, over 280,000 displaced persons, equivalent to 40,000 households, are in need of assistance in Diffa region, the unit for coordination of humanitarian affairs which is based in the office of Niger's prime minister, revealed.

The unit noted further that at least 135,400 people are in need of food assistance at a cost of over 3.2 billion CFA Francs (5.5 million U.S. dollars).

This is in addition to needs of water, hygiene and sanitation, pasture for animals as well as the issue of education for thousands of children.

While meeting Niger's technical and financial partners on Tuesday evening in Niamey, Nigerien Prime Minister Brigi Rafini urged "all friendly countries, partners and the humanitarian community" to support Niger in managing the situation in this part of the country.

"Diffa needs our urgent and immediate solidarity," Rafini said, adding that "it is our responsibility to support these suffering populations."

Nigerien localities in the Far East regions, especially Bosso and Diffa which border Nigeria, have come under repeated Boko Haram attacks since February 2015. The attacks have left hundreds of victims, both civilians and soldiers, and led to displacement of thousands of others in Niger and Nigeria. Endit