Managing counterterrorism challenges within climate resilience and humanitarian and development initiatives in Niger

Country: Niger Source: ODI - Humanitarian Practice Network Humanitarian needs in Niger remain significant and geographically uneven. The Global Humanitarian Overview 2026 reports that, as of December 2025, around 2.6 million people in 32 of the country’s 63 departments require aid . Internally displaced persons and refugees are present in significant numbers in Niger as of February 2026 . Food insecurity and malnutrition continue to affect millions of people, with projections indicating that 2.4 million people are expected to face severe food insecurity during the June−August 2026 lean season. Climate shocks further intensify vulnerability: recurrent flooding has affected large numbers of people in recent years, with significant impacts also reported in urban areas such as Niamey. Regional dynamics highlight the operational context: Diffa hosts large displaced populations affected by Lake Chad Basin insecurity, Maradi hosts tens of thousands of refugees from Nigeria, and Niamey faces increasing exposure to urban flooding and internal migration pressures. Many of the communities experiencing the highest vulnerability are located in areas where administrative, access and compliance constraints also affect programme feasibility. Agricultural development programmes and operational constraints Agricultural development programmes constitute a central pillar of resilience strategies in Niger, where rural livelihoods depend heavily on rainfed farming and pastoral production. National and international partners have invested in irrigation systems, climate-smart agriculture training, seed distribution, livestock vaccination campaigns and rural infrastructure to reduce vulnerability to climate shocks. These initiatives aim to stabilise household incomes, strengthen food availability and support local markets that are frequently disrupted by insecurity and displacement. Despite their importance, agricultural development programmes operate within an environment increasingly shaped by counterterrorism compliance systems and rising counterterrorism alert levels. Rising counterterrorism alert levels Rising counterterrorism alert levels have become one of the most consequential operational factors shaping humanitarian and development programming in Niger . Security risks intensified following the January 2026 attack on Diori Hamani International Airport and the adjacent military airbase in Niamey, carried out by Islamic State-linked militants using coordinated assaults . Such incidents typically trigger strengthened national security measures, increased monitoring of financial flows and enhanced scrutiny of partner organisations, slowing the disbursement of humanitarian funds and delaying payments to local implementing partners. In several instances, humanitarian agencies have reported t emporary suspension or additional screening of mobile money and bank transfers to field offices , complicating the timely delivery of cash-based assistance to displaced households. Operational access can also be affected. Due to insecurity, authorities have imposed movement restrictions and required escorts for access to certain areas, particularly in border regions . These measures can delay field assessments, agricultural input distributions and monitoring visits. In addition, enhanced due-diligence requirements for local partners have sometimes prolonged the contracting process, requiring organisations to conduct additional compliance reviews before activities can begin in higher-risk districts. While these measures aim to protect national stability and reduce diversion risks, they also produce cascading operational effects that influence programme feasibility, implementation timelines and targeting decisions. Rising counterterrorism alert levels often lead to the introduction of additional administrative requirements, including enhanced partner verification procedures, stricter reporting standards and additional authorisations for project approvals and financial transfers. In high-risk regions, these requirements can extend implementation timelines and increase operational costs. For climate resilience programmes dependent on seasonal agricultural cycles, even short delays in financial transfers or procurement approvals can significantly affect programme effectiveness. Several humanitarian organisations operating in the Sahel illustrate how counterterrorism compliance systems affect programme implementation. Counterterrorism frameworks and donor-imposed safeguards have significantly reshaped the operational environment for humanitarian actors, particularly in high-risk contexts, as highlighted in the Norwegian Refugee Council’s study on the impact of donor counterterrorism measures on principled humanitarian action . International non-governmental organisations (NGO)s such as the Norwegian Refugee Council and the Danish Refugee Council report that these measures require extensive partner due diligence, vetting and screening procedures,

Read More