In Zinder and Maradi regions, the combination of an early malaria peak and a poor agricultural season led to a significant increase in the number of children needing care. We also saw an unprecedented number of severely malnourished children coming across the border from Nigeria.
In Maradi, we tripled our intake capacity by launching two new emergency nutrition projects through inpatient and outpatient care in Aguie and Guidam Roumjdi districts, and stepped-up activities, including intensive therapeutic feeding and paediatric care, in Madarounfa district.
The security situation in Tillabéri region, which borders Mali and Burkina Faso, deteriorated in 2021. A spate of attacks on civilians led the region into a state of violence and internal displacement. To respond to the increased needs in Torodi, Banibangou and Ayorou districts, MSF recruited extra medical staff, conducted mobile clinics, rehabilitated the emergency unit and built a blood bank, an observation unit, and sterilisation and mental health consultation rooms.
In Diffa region, we ran community consultations to help reduce the workload on hospitals during malaria season, provided paediatric and obstetric care, mental health support and treatment for sexual violence.
The flow of migrants expelled from Algeria, in unofficial convoys arriving in Assamaka, did not decrease, despite tough anti-migration policies and border closures due to COVID-19. A toll-free number set up for migrants in transit continues to receive calls, and enables MSF teams to rescue migrants who have been tortured and dumped in the desert.
Throughout 2021, MSF supported the health authorities’ responses to epidemics and floods, and vaccination campaigns against measles, meningitis, cholera and polio.