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Endemic Internal Displacement Occurring In Nigeria-UNHCR

September 2, 2014

A UNHCR report today indicated that recent clashes in northeastern Nigeria between the Nigerian armed forces and Boko Haram insurgents had caused over 10,000 civilians to flee into neighboring Niger and Cameroon.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is warning of a potential human disaster brewing in Northern Nigeria as civilians flee fighting between the armed forces and Boko Haram militants.

A UNHCR report today indicated that recent clashes in northeastern Nigeria between the Nigerian armed forces and Boko Haram insurgents had caused over 10,000 civilians to flee into neighboring Niger and Cameroon.

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Refugees arrive at the UNHCR-run Minawao Camp in northeastern Cameroon, traveling four hours in 100-degree heat

To date, Cameroon is hosting some 39,000 Nigerian refugees whilst Niger is caring for an estimated 50,000 Nigerian refugees.

The numbers pale in comparison to the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) which UNHCR estimates to be about 645,000.

Citing ongoing insecurity issues in Nigeria’s northeastern region, the UNHCR warned of an impending human disaster if the security issue remained unresolved.