Sudanese refugees protest against long neglect in Niger

On Monday, hundreds of Sudanese refugees marched 18 kilometres from Agadez in Niger to the headquarters of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in protest against the deteriorating humanitarian aid and health conditions and the slow pace of resettlement procedures.

Firewood used to cook a meal within Sudan (WFP)

On Monday, hundreds of Sudanese refugees marched 18 kilometres from their refugee camp in the desert in Niger to the headquarters of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Agadez in protest against the deteriorating humanitarian aid and health conditions and the slow pace of resettlement procedures.

A protestor told Radio Dabanga that most of the refugees in the camp are unaccompanied children who have been in the camp since 2017, while their resettlement procedures remain static.

He explained that the camp is located in the heart of the desert in an area that does not have the simplest means of life. He added that the refugees have suffered from the spread of chronic and serious diseases as a result of neglect and lack of attention to health and education issues.

He stated that they left the camp with all their belongings on foot to the UNHCR in Agadez, 18 km away, to submit a memorandum bearing their demands to expedite their resettlement procedures. He pointed that there is a growing concern among refugees due to the deteriorating security situation in Niger.


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