Niger is home to over 240,000 refugees and more than 186,000 are internally displaced persons (IDPs). 2 regions in Niger are particularly affected by the armed conflicts and displacement and are currently in a state of emergency: the Diffa region which borders Nigeria and Chad and the South-West part of Niger, bordering Mali.

Today, there are over 250,000 displaced persons in the Diffa region, including 118,868 Nigerian refugees, over 25,000 returnees and 104,288 internally displaced persons. In 2018, the Government of Niger and UNHCR implemented a unique Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM) to facilitate the evacuation of thousands of refugees detained in Libya and provide them with life-saving assistance and protection along the border with Mali, until they can be resettled.

In support of its operations in both of these regions, UNHCR has implemented over 1000 Better Shelter Relief Housing Units (RHUs) which serve primarily as temporary shelters and since 2018, the RHUs have been integrated in the ETM to facilitate the evacuation of refugees in the region.

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A group of refugees and asylum-seekers arrive at the Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM) centre in Hamdallaye – 40 kilometres outside Niamey. ; A total of 120 evacuees were taken directly to the ETM facility where they underwent medical screening and were assigned to their Refugee Housing Units, equipped with beds and mattresses. Counselling was provided, as well as food. The UN Refugee Agency has been working to evacuate those trapped in appalling conditions in Libyan detention centres and neighbouring Niger has so far welcomed 2,913 of the evacuees. The majority (around 1,100) are hosted in the ETM centre in Hamdallaye, while the rest are staying in other hosting facilities in Niamey, due to their vulnerability and or health status. From here, durable solutions are found, including resettlement. Many evacuees are survivors of violence or torture.