Thousands of refugees from Mali have crossed the border into Niger due to conflict, greatly increasing the population of Sinegodar village and overwhelming its limited resources. Most refugees have no shelter and sleep outside, sharing the village's single, unsafe water well among over 8,000 people. The village has just one nurse and no medicine, endangering the lives of newborn babies. While villagers are welcoming refugees, the region is extremely poor and faces hunger, requiring emergency aid including shelter, water, and medical care.

1. Niger: refugees from Mali

2. Thousands of people have been forced to cross the border from Mali to Niger. The population of Sinegodar village in Niger has risen from 1,400 to more than 8,000.

3. Most of the new arrivals are sleeping in the open air. The “lucky” ones use sheets to protect themselves from the sun during the day and the cold at night.

4. There is only one well in Sinegodar. It produces unsafe water – now shared by more than 8,000 people.

5. Baby Abdullah is one of eight new-born babies in Sinegodar. There is only one nurse and no medicine in the village.

6. A shelter in Sinegodar, shared by a family of six. There is great solidarity between the villagers and the new arrivals – but this is one of the poorest regions in the world, which was already facing a looming hunger crisis.

7. People’s immediate needs include shelter, mats, blankets, cooking utensils – as well as food, water and medicine. We are working with our local partner and other agencies to respond to the emergency.

8. Please keep all those affected in your thoughts and prayers. Photos: Michel Monginda Mondengele /CAFOD