The security situation resulting from the Boko Haram crisis on the border area of Nigeria, at the end of 2014, caused huge population movements and large influxes to Niger of people, including Nigerian refugees, returned Nigerians and other nationalities (Chadians, Cameroonians etc.). With the attacks of the Nigerian towns of Bosso and Diffa by the Boko Haram in February 2015, the islands of Lake Chad and villages along the Komadougou (Nigeria border), the phenomena have worsened, increasing the population's displacements inside the Diffa region itself.
These newly displaced populations have been added to the previously affected groups. The situation for the period of November 2016 shows that approximately 302,407 displaced persons live in the Diffa region including refugees (88,688), returnees (29,315) and internally displaced persons (184404). This situation prompted authorities to allow the opening of the Sayam Forage refugee camp, with 12,000 refugees and returnees from Nigeria.
To prevent the spread of hygiene and sanitation-related diseases in these camps, Action Pour le Bien-Etre (APBE), financially supported by UNHCR, conducted WASH activities on this camp. A KAP (knowledge, attitudes and practices) survey was conducted in August 2018 (266 households were interviewed). The study made it possible to note the positive impacts of the WASH initiatives on the populations, thanks to the construction of 19 fountains, creation and training of water point management committees to ensure the hygiene of water points, promotion of good hygiene practices and sanitation. In addition, this study made it possible to observe some points of weakness that should to be addressed, in particular the knowledge of diseases and the causes and prevention of malaria. Furthermore, the idea of construction of other community latrines is to be deepened in the future.
