30-12-2024 | di COOPI

A Community-Based Approach for the Protection of All: COOPI's Commitment in Diffa, Niger

Since 2014, COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale has been supporting communities in the Diffa region of Niger. This region, facing complex and prolonged humanitarian crises, is among the hardest hit by internal displacement, hosting 33% of internally displaced persons and 34% of refugees in the country.

COOPI implements the UNHCR financed project "GBV/Child Protection/Community Protection, Mental Health, and Psychosocial Support." This initiative relies on a community-based approach aimed at strengthening protection mechanisms, preventing risks, and promoting peaceful coexistence between displaced populations and host communities. COOPI teams, consisting of psychologists, case managers, and protection supervisors, work closely with 8 community focal points and 26 local protection committees. These committees play a crucial role in identifying and referring cases requiring specific care, especially in the areas of child protection, gender-based violence (GBV), and people with specific needs (PSN).

The project is carried out in several locations, including Diffa, Mainé Soroa, the Sayam Forage camp, Kindjandi, Garin Dogo, Gueskerou, Garin Wanzam, and N'Guigmi. These efforts are further strengthened by the establishment of safe spaces for children, women, and men.

During the 12 months of implementation, 248 GBV cases were managed, including 240 involving women or girls and 8 involving men. Simultaneously, 258 child protection cases were handled (134 girls and 124 boys), along with 166 cases involving people with specific needs (90 men and 76 women).

In addition to direct interventions, COOPI conducts community mobilization campaigns to raise awareness about protection issues, prevent GBV, and encourage practices that foster peaceful coexistence.

In 2024, the "16 Days of Activism" campaign was a pivotal moment in the fight against GBV in Diffa, led by COOPI, UNHCR, and the State Services for the Promotion of Women and Child Protection. Under the national slogan "All united for a patriotic act within the framework of rebuilding to stop GBV" activists and local organizations mobilized to denounce this violence, which primarily affects women and girls in a region marked by prolonged humanitarian crises and deeply rooted gender inequalities. In this context, Niger ranks 189th out of 191 according to the United Nations Gender Inequality Index, highlighting alarming disparities. Patriarchal norms and discriminatory practices perpetuate GBV, which remains widespread.

The 2024 "16 Days of Activism" campaign included cultural events, community discussions, and awareness-raising activities in Diffa, Mainé Soroa, Awaridi, and the Sayam camp. A key moment was the celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which highlighted inclusion in the fight against GBV. Mobility equipment, such as tricycles, was distributed to enhance the social participation of people with disabilities.

The campaign concluded with a capacity-building workshop for GBV case managers, organized in collaboration with UNHCR, UNFPA, and COOPI, to improve local skills in supporting survivors effectively.

Although this mobilization marked a significant step forward, the fight against GBV in Niger remains a collective challenge. UNHCR has managed to mobilize only 40% of the $135 million needed for humanitarian activities in 2024, with even greater challenges expected for 2025.

Eliminating GBV requires ongoing mobilization and a comprehensive approach that combines prevention, awareness, community engagement, survivor support, and adequate resources. COOPI, along with its partners, reaffirms its commitment to a future where everyone can live free from violence and with dignity.

COOPI has been working in Niger since 2012 developing integrated multi-sector intervention programmes, responding to various humanitarian crises. Today we intervene with 23 projects in the fields of nutrition, food security, emergency education, psychosocial support, mental health, protection, disaster risk reduction and disaster preparedness, and entrepreneurial development.