Study on humanitarian access in the region of Tillabéri (Niger)

Having previously analysed the issue of humanitarian access in Chad, Mali and Somalia, we are now turning our attention to Niger. In an environment where there are multi-dimensional and cross-border crises, the region of Tillabéri has seen an increase in violence and insecurity. The conflicts in the region are primarily ecological, socio-cultural and socio-economic due to the desertification that has been taking place in recent decades. It has increased competition over land and natural resources which are the basis of the population’s economic and social activities. In addition, the presence of armed Jihadist groups in northern Mali, who have exploited inter-community tensions, has had a major influence on the nature of the conflicts in the Tillabéri region.

In this context, where there are a variety of different stakeholders (humanitarian operators, political movements and armed groups, national defence and security forces, Operation Barkhane, the joint forces of G5 Sahel, U.S. Special Forces, etc.), consolidating the presence of humanitarian actors in the region and guaranteeing their access to affected people, particularly in the border strip, is a major challenge. The study will therefore analyse the factors that influence humanitarian access, with a view to improving it. Data will be collected in the capital (Niamey) and in villages in the field (Tillabéri) at the end of July.