Within the framework of the project “Cross-border Cooperation and Strengthening Health Monitoring Systems along the Central Mediterranean Route”, funded by Migration Resource Allocation Committee (MIRAC), IOM’s mission in Niger carried out a health study in Assamaka and Madama, main towns at the border with Algeria and Libya, in close coordination with the Minister of Health in Niger and the Ministry of Defense in Niger.

Due to its geographical position between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, the Agadez region in the northern region of Niger represents a major transit hub for migrants going to and coming back from Libya and Algeria.

The towns of Assamaka and Madama are the main crossing points at Niger’s borders with Algeria and Libya, respectively. These towns saw their population increase with the rise of trade and migrant flows in recent years.

Civil and military health units have had to be strengthened and adapted to meet the basic needs of the local and transient population. The lack of disease prevention and control has nonetheless raised concerns about the health risks in these border towns and beyond with the possibility of communicable diseases spreading beyond these border regions.

An in-depth field study was implemented in July 2019 to identify resources, urgent needs in terms of disease management, prevention and control, as well as challenges related to disease monitoring and early warning systems.

The outcomes of the study highlight the similarities between Assamaka and Madama, despite different administrative, migratory, geographic and security contexts. One such similarity identified was the relative isolation of these two locations. With poor roads and lack of safe transport options, the two towns face important challenges in terms of accessibility to primary health services and more advanced medical facilities.

Following the results and recommendations of the study, IOM’s mission in Niger organized a training course on health management, first aid and crisis prevention for Niger’s Defense and Security Forces deployed at the country’s north-western borders.

“IOM’s mission in Niger is committed to supporting the government of Niger in reinforcing its borders and building the capacity of its staff to address the health risks related to migration,” said Barbara Rijks, IOM’s Chief of Mission in Niger. “It’s only by having the right knowledge and tools that we can prevent health risks at the country’s borders,” she added.

The health assessment encourages the Ministries of Public Health and National Defense, Nigerien authorities and technical and financial partners to strengthen their collaboration regarding health issues at Niger’s borders.

For more information, please contact Céline Mewissen at IOM Niger at Tel: +227 8006 8038, Email: cmewissen@iom.int.