Thousands of people, most of them women and children, have crossed into neighbouring Niger as violence in northern Nigeria drives a growing humanitarian displacement crisis.
Nearly 64,000 people have fled Nigeria for neighbouring Niger since the beginning of 2026, escaping escalating violence in the country's northern regions, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The displacement has also pushed people across the border into Benin, highlighting the growing regional dimension of Nigeria's humanitarian crisis.
In Niger, the Diffa region has received more than 23,000 new arrivals. Children account for over two-thirds of those who have sought refuge there, underscoring the vulnerability of the displaced population.
The influx is placing additional pressure on already limited humanitarian resources. UNHCR has warned of critical shortages of drinking water, food, shelter and healthcare, leaving thousands of newly arrived refugees in need of urgent assistance.
The agency is appealing for $11.4 million to support its humanitarian response, including emergency assistance and essential services for people displaced by the violence.
The latest figures highlight the cross-border consequences of insecurity in northern Nigeria, where continued violence is forcing communities to seek safety in neighbouring countries and adding to humanitarian pressures across the central Sahel and wider Lake Chad Basin.
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