A significant influx of displaced individuals has overwhelmed the town of Téra, located in western Niger, as recent arrivals from villages in the southern part of the region have sought refuge within the city and its outskirts since late last month.
The evacuation of Diagourou, a neighboring commune just ten kilometers away, has been confirmed by multiple local sources. Residents of nearly thirty villages in Diagourou have been ordered to leave by members of the Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM). This area lies near the tri-border zone shared by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, an unstable region frequently targeted by both JNIM and the Islamic State in the Sahel (ISIS).
Téra, a garrison town, serves as the headquarters for Defense Zone 9 and is situated along the right bank of the Niger River. Its strategic importance makes it a focal point for both humanitarian aid and security operations.
Displaced families face extreme hardship
Testimonies from affected families reveal dire living conditions in Téra. Many displaced individuals, including women and children, are forced to sleep in the open, occupying vacant plots or relying on the generosity of host families. Precise figures for the latest displacement waves remain unavailable, but local estimates suggest thousands of people have been uprooted from their homes in Diagourou alone.
The humanitarian situation is exacerbated by the region’s ongoing insecurity, which has displaced tens of thousands across the Sahel in recent years. Aid organizations are working to provide shelter, food, and medical assistance, though access remains limited due to ongoing conflict.
