CO-Niger Flex and peacebuilding For about a decade, the security situation in the Tillabéry region of Niger has been characterized by incursions by non-state armedgroups (NSAGs) committing abuses (abductions, forced recruitment into armed groups, extortion of valuables and money/zakat, threats, physical violence, targeted or mass killings) against the civilian population, particularly persons linked to the state or presumed to be linked to the state, thereby violating their fundamental rights. Worse, during the recent attacks, elements of GANEs systematically destroyed food stocks, shelters and extorted livestock. Cases of gender-based violence are also reported with the impositionof veils and the abduction of women and girls without ransom.  This security situation, which is very worrying in the north-Malian border and in the Tri-border area (Burkina Faso-Mali-Niger), has also led to an increase in crime and banditry in the region and a deepening of the social fractures between sedentary and nomadic people, farmers and herders, and inter-ethnic rivalries, which are historical sources of tension. In addition, it has limited access to natural resources.
It should be noted that the Tillabéry region, where more than 85% of households live from subsistence farming, is already among the most vulnerable in Niger. It is confronted with the recurrence of extreme climatic phenomena (drought and floods) that affect food security and the livelihoods of the population.Moreover, the last meeting of the Harmonized Framework of November 2020, estimated that nearly 15% of its population would be food insecure at some point in the year. The SMART survey reveals a prevalence of GAM among children aged 6 to 59 months of age of 9% in this region. On the other hand, the populations of the Tillabéry region also seasonally face peaks of endemic diseases such as Cholera, malaria, etc... due to inadequate WAH infrastructure and practices. Indeed, 41% of the population of Tillabéry use drinking water from unimproved sources according to the EVIAM 2020 survey. Tillabéry is also one of the regions most affected by the second wave of COVID 19. As of January 11, 2021, there were 260 confirmed cases, including 35 health workers and 16 deaths. Also, during the month of December 2020, 53 protection incidents with 83 victims were recorded in the Tillabéry region.
It is in this already very fragile context that the intervention on Saturday, January 2, 2021, in the villages of Tchamobangou and Zaroumadareye - one of the most barbaric attacks ever perpetrated by GANEs against civilian populations since the beginning of this insecurity in Niger - took place.The appalling toll of this attack is 105 civilians dead, including 32 in Zaroumdarey and 73 in Tchomabongou, and 26 others wounded by gunfire. This event is said to be in retaliation for the refusal of these communities to pay the Zakat imposed by the terrorists and was mainly aimed at the able-bodied arms of the said villages. As a result, a large number of women and children are among the displaced. There is also a significant number of living stock (granaries) burned down and livestock taken away by the GANES during the attack (Report No. 28/2021/RRM/ACTED and Report of the Joint Rapid Multisectoral Mission to MANGAIZE of 12 and 13 January 2021).
By the way, the identified site is that of the former Mangaizé refugee camp located on the side of a military post. With recent attacks on certain military bases in the region, in particular the tragic ones of Inates and Sinegodar with important registers registered by the national army, internally displaced persons are at risk of being caught cross-country. in case of attack on the military position of Mangaizé, potential target of terrorists.
Following this attack, a joint assessment conducted by humanitarian actors with the facilitation of OCHA revealed that as of January 13, 2021, a total of 1,045 households or approximately 7,315 people had moved to Mangaize. These include forcibly displaced persons and those who have preventively left the surrounding villages. They are living with host families, already affected by a deficient agricultural season (Ouallam is one of the 17 departments of Niger exposed to severe food insecurity according to the Harmonized Framework meeting), the effects of insecurity and related security measures. In theearly hours of their arrival, their daily lives were assured thanks to the solidarity of the host populations, as well as the support of good wills and assistance provided by the Nigerien State. Relations between the host communities and the displaced are so far good. Moreover, these displaced persons are reluctant to any idea of relocation to an easily identifiable host site, fearing possible incursions by GANEs elements.