Media CenterCRS Scales Up Response to Help Victims of Boko Haram in Niger

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Contact:
Michael Stulman
Catholic Relief Services
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CRS Scales Up Response to Help Victims of Boko Haram in Niger

DAKAR, SENEGAL, July 7, 2016 – Responding to a recent surge in violence, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is increasing help for victims of Boko Haram in the Diffa region of Niger, where one out of every two people has been forced from their home by this violent radical group.

“We are preparing for the situation to get worse before it gets better,” says Bill Rastetter, Catholic Relief Services’ country representative in Niger.

Since the violence began affecting Diffa two years ago, CRS has been distributing basic supplies -- blankets, soap, kitchen materials, and plastic jugs -- to help refugees, displaced people, and host families meet their daily needs.

CRS has been reaching 18,000 people. The increased response will expand our impact by almost three times.

In Niger’s Diffa region, a total of 241,000 people have been displaced. Many have been taken in by friends and relatives, putting a burden on these already-poor families. Others are in camps or informal settlements.

“The living conditions are harsh. Most people flee their homes with nothing but the clothes on their back,” says Rastetter. “There is little food and water, incessant heat and poor sanitary facilities that increase the danger of health risks.” 

CRS is also working to improve sanitation and hygiene of those displaced by constructing latrines, and organizing local community groups to lead public awareness and education campaigns on public health.

Cash-for-work projects and cash grants are helping 3,800 vulnerable families meet their urgent, basic needs. 

In addition to providing immediate relief, CRS is focused on reducing and preventing tensions among refugees, displaced people and host communities, where resources are becoming scarcer.  Training sessions on safety and security, health practices and human rights are aimed at preventing conflict.

This is only one of the many areas in the region where CRS is responding to the humanitarian crisis caused by Boko Haram, including Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon, always focusing on meeting critical needs like food, health, shelter and sanitation. 

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Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. For more information, please visit crs.org or crsespanol.org and follow CRS on social media: Facebook, @CatholicRelief, @CRSnews, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest.