Lake Chad Basin: Crisis Overview (as of 6 June 2017)
Background
Around 17 million people live in the affected areas across the four Lake Chad basin countries. More than 2.4 million people remain displaced. Most of the displaced families are sheltered by communities that count among the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. Food insecurity and malnutrition have reached critical levels.
Recent developments
More than 12,000 Nigerian refugees have returned from Cameroon in recent months to Banki, Bama, Gwoza, Mubi and Pulka towns in north-eastern Nigeria. Aid agencies have voiced concerns over the prevailing insecurity in the areas of return and lack of adequate assistance and access to basic services in areas of return. Some of the returnees cited cuts in food rations in Minawao camp and the desire to resume farming as reasons for returning.
Humanitarian partners have mobilised to provide emergency assistance. In Pulka, the returns have increased the population to over 50,000. Insecurity and Boko Haram attacks continue to torment civilians and cause displacements. In Cameroon’s Far North region, suicide bombings and improvised explosive devices are restricting humanitarian access, notably in Mayo Sava department which has been hit by nine suicide attacks since April. Military operations against Boko Haram by the Multinational Joint Task Force and national armies have caused new displacements in Niger and pushed Boko Haram elements to areas around Chad’s borders where an increase in attacks has been observed lately.