With more than 200 million inhabitants, Nigeria is Africa's most populous country. Despite being one of the world's largest oil producers and one of Africa's largest economies, an extremely large number of Nigerians live in extreme poverty. In addition, the north-east of Nigeria is also suffering from the conflict with the Islamist terrorist militia Boko Haram and the Islamic State, which has been going on for over ten years and is forcing more and more people to flee.
It started as a local insurgency and has developed into a regional armed conflict affecting Niger, Chad and Cameroon in addition to Nigeria, with no end in sight. Attacks, suicide bombings, kidnappings and gender-based violence are daily fare.
More than 8,3 million people in north-eastern Nigeria are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. The country is also receiving more than 36,000 refugees from Cameroon in the south-east of the country.
The ongoing conflict in Nigeria has forced many people to leave their homes and seek refuge in camps secured by the military that are hopelessly overpopulated. Most of the displaced are cut off from their fields and any other means of making a living. Clean drinking water is not sufficiently available. Displacement poses further dangers for women. Both during and after their displacement, many girls and women experience sexual violence and other forms of gender-based violence such as forced or child marriage.
Malteser International has been working in Nigeria since 2017 and helps to improve living conditions in the camps and host communities. We build wells, water systems and toilets, and thus help to mitigate diseases such as cholera, which are caused by contaminated water. We also run several houses where girls and women can find shelter and access psychosocial care and training opportunities to become independent and self-sufficient. In collaboration with our partner organization Rhema Care, we also improve the water supply and access to toilets and hygiene materials for refugees from Cameroon and host communities in south-eastern Nigeria.
Sometimes it's the little things that change people's lives. In Fanna's case, it was a torch. After her house was burgled at night, she was given a solar-powered torch in our safe space, which she has kept next to her sleeping mat at night ever since. Since then, she feels much safer.
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It is a special day for Habiba Yawu and BB Husseini: Malteser International staff are distributing a total of 400 hens in the village square in Kirbiri and each household will receive eight, including Habiba and BB. In addition, everyone will receive a kafig, feed and medication for the pullets for the coming weeks. If there are any problems, the employees are available to help. Who can receive this support was determined in a long process together with the village community. You can find out how the selection was made in this article.
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Our Communications Officer, Katharina Kiecol, traveled to north-eastern Nigeria to see for herself how people on the run live and how we support them. She spoke to women in Pulka who are receiving psychosocial support in our Safe Space. During her visit to Mashamari, she learned just how important the water supply is in these communities. In this report, you can find out what she experienced on site and what lessons she learned.
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Life as a refugee is particularly dangerous for women and girls. They often experience various forms of violence. Fatuma and Hadiza (names changed) were raped and disowned by their families. Our staff mediated with the families in the conflicts, provided psychosocial support to the women, and showed them a path to reintegrate into life.
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According to the latest figures of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), some 110 million people were on the run in 2022. This is the highest number recorded. Displaced individuals remain among the most vulnerable members of society and their health needs are often neglected. Many of them undertake long, exhausting journeys with inadequate access to food and water, sanitation, and other basic services, increasing their risk of getting sick.
On the occasion of World Refugee Day, June 20th 2023, we are launching a digital campaign under the title „ On the run: Health must not be left behind “. With this campaign, we want to raise awareness about everyone ‘s right - regardless of their circumstances - to health and access to people-centered and high-quality health services.
More information about our campaign
Seven years ago, the 30-year-old Yakaka and her family fled from the violence at her home community. Since then, they reside in the Mashamari Camp in Borno State, northeast of Nigeria. For two years, Malteser International has been operating so-called ‘Safe Spaces’ in camps for refugees, in which 30-50 young women and girls are able to benefit from case management, psychosocial support services, and other offers. Moreover, they provide skills training for women to support their livelihoods.
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Three years ago, insurgents from the terror militia, Boko Haram attacked Kulu's village, and killed her husband. She was forced to flee with her children and arrived in a camp for displaced persons in Maiduguri, in northeastern Nigeria. The experiences left her traumatized and fearing for her sanity. Today, she is trying to get her life back on track despite the circumstances.
Read moreAs a sponsoring partner, your regular donation gives real, life-changing help to people in need in our project regions. Your commitment helps us plan ahead and bring about long-lasting impact.
Office locations: Maiduguri, Pulka and Yola
Partners: National Council for Women‘s Societies, Rhema Care, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA)
Financing: Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, German Federal Foreign Office, Nigeria Humanitarian Fund
Photo credits: Emily Kinskey/Malteser International
info@malteser-international.org
Malteser Hilfsdienst e.V.
Reference:
Malteser International
Account number: 1201200012
IBAN:
DE10 3706 0120 1201 2000 12
S.W.I.F.T./BIC: GENODED1PA7
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