UNHCR has confirmed that six Malian refugees were among 137
people killed on 21 March in Niger’s western region of Tahoua, near the town of
Tillia. Most of the victims in this deadly attack by unidentified armed groups
were internally displaced people who had already fled horrendous violence, some
of them during 2020.
The attacks on displaced people and the communities
generously hosting them, were targeted and deliberate. In addition to the
unjustifiable violence meted out against civilians, shelters and granaries were
also burned to the ground and cattle stolen or killed. Survivors have nothing
left. An estimated 1,400 people from these villages are now on the move, trying
to escape from the violence.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and partners continue to gather
information from survivors, many of whom have been left in shock and mourning.
Our teams and partners are monitoring the situation and providing humanitarian
aid and counselling to survivors.
We reiterate our call for greater protection of civilians
and displaced communities. We also call on the international community to seize
the sense of urgency and continue supporting regional efforts to address the
root causes of this crisis and help us respond to humanitarian needs arising
from forced displacement.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
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