IMPACT
- 23 sensitisers trained to deliver explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) to more than 20,416 members of vulnerable communities in the Diffa and Tillaberi regions
- 74 members of the Nigerien Defense and Security Forces trained in Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Threat Mitigation
- More than 900 humanitarians sensitized to the IED threat
- National norm on risk education updated and accreditation system created
- Mine Action Area of Responsibility (MA AoR) re-activated
ABOUT
Following a needs and threat assessment that showed an increased use of IEDs in Niger, and at the request of the UN Resident Coordinator and national authorities, UNMAS established a presence in the country in September 2021. From January 2021 to August 2022, 80 IED incidents have been recorded, which have caused more than 140 victims. UNMAS activities in Niger that aim to mitigate the explosive threat include:
Understanding the threat: UNMAS is developing a consolidated IED incident database and provides analysis on the trends and impact of the explosive threat. With the spread of the conflicts in the Liptako-Gourma and Lake Chad regions, armed attacks in the eastern and western regions of Niger have intensified, with an increased use of IEDs. These incidents are threatening peace and security in the country and in the sub-region.
Enhancing national ownership of Mine Action: UNMAS works with the National Commission for the Collection and Control of Illicit Weapons (CNCCAI) to enhance mine action capabilities and develop a sustainable national capacity. UNMAS provides advisory services as well as technical support and assistance in updating national norms to help improve the management and coordination of mine action activities.
Delivering risk education: Preserving the sanctity of life for affected communities and humanitarians with tailored knowledge and awareness is the foundation of humanitarian access, livelihoods and mobility.
Delivering IED threat mitigation training: Ensuring Law Enforcement and Security Agencies can safely and securely access the communities they have a mandate to protect in order to assume their law enforcement responsibilities is critical in contributing peace, security and social cohesion at the local level.
Advocating and coordinating: UNMAS leads the Mine Action Area of Responsibility and contributes to its integration in UN and humanitarian strategic common planning exercises, such as the Humanitarian Needs Overview and Humanitarian Response Plan.
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UNMAS Niger contributes to the Sustainable Development Goal 16 “Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions” and the Strategic Objectives of the UN Mine Action Strategy 2019-2023: “SO 1. Protection of individuals and communities from the risks and socio-economic impacts of explosive ordnance strengthened”, and “SO 3. National institutions effectively lead and manage mine action functions and responsibilities”. |
FUNDING
UNMAS has received generous support from the Kingdoms of the Netherlands and Denmark through the UNMAS Unearmarked funding pool to establish the foundations of its programme in Niger, as well as funding from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to start risk education activities. An estimated 2 million USD more are needed to launch effective risk education campaigns in high-risk regions of Niger, provide technical expertise to the Nigerien Forces and continue to support the national authority to better manage the explosive threat in the country.
Data as of October 2022