A massive influx of internally displaced persons has overwhelmed the municipality of Téra in western Niger. Thousands have fled their homes in villages south of the department since late last month, seeking refuge in the city and its outskirts.

The nearby town of Diagourou, located just ten kilometers from Téra, is now largely deserted. Local sources report that fighters from the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) have ordered residents from nearly thirty villages to leave immediately. This area sits on the right bank of the Niger River, within the volatile tri-border region shared by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—a hotspot for both JNIM and the Islamic State in the Sahel (IS Sahel).

Dire living conditions for displaced families

Testimonies reveal that displaced families in Téra are enduring harsh conditions, with many women and children sleeping outdoors on unoccupied plots or relying on host families for shelter.

While exact figures remain unavailable, the villages of Diagourou alone are believed to host thousands of displaced individuals.