Niger attack has left thousands homeless – UNHCR

The UN refugee agency says more than 7,000 have fled their homes after a deadly militant attack on an area housing 35,000 Malian refugees and internally displaced people in western Niger.

Most of those who fled were Malian refugees.

A spokesperson for the UNHCR in Niger, Jean Sebastien Josset, told the BBC that those who fled the attack are now at a temporary shelter near the town of Telemces, about 27km (17 miles) from the scene of the attack.

They lack basic necessities such as water, food and medical assistance. He said many of them, including women and children, were traumatised but aid agencies and the local authorities are trying to support them.

The past few months have seen a sharp increase in deadly attacks on communities in the area where Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso share borders. This is where militants linked to the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda operate.

BBC