Jane Hahn Photography

groundwater crisis (ongoing): lake chad basin: diffa, niger

Over 2.4 million people are currently displaced across the four countries that border Lake Chad. The crisis was originally contained within northeastern Nigeria where Boko Haram focused their terror ,but in 2015, as the regions multinational force began to close in on its areas of control, the terrorist group crossed Nigeria's borders and began to target neighboring countries. Over 30 million people rely on Lake Chad for their livelihoods, an already precarious situation due to the drastic shrinking size of the Lake attributed to climate change, desertification, deforestation and the increasing demand for agricultural water. The spread of the crisis from NE Nigeria to its neighboring countries surrounding the Lake is resulting in one of the largest humanitarian crisis in the world. By 2017, over 300,000 refugees and displaced people escaped to the Diffa region in Niger alone attempting to find safety until they are able to return home. 

(Published- Time Lightbox 2017) 

  • Boys, originally from Yebi, Nigeria, sit under the last remaining tree across from Garin Wanzam Camp in Diffa, Niger.Garin Wanzam Camp is the largest camp in the region hosting almost 23,000 displaced people. Many cut down trees in the area in order to help reduce the cost of firewood which can cost up to 30-40 percent of a family's monthly budget. 300,000 people displaced by the Boko Haram crisis are taking refuge in southern Niger, straining the already vulnerable environment of the Lake Chad Basin.
  • A girl originally from Nigeria breaks down remaining branches from trees cut by other refugees outside of Guam Guam camp in Diffa, Niger.Garin Wanzam Camp is the largest camp in the region hosting almost 23,000 displaced people. Many cut down trees in the area in order to help reduce the cost of firewood which can cost up to 30-40 percent of a family's monthly budget.
  • A group of girls  originally from Nigeria break down remaining branches from trees cut by other refugees outside of Guam Guam camp in Diffa, Niger.Garin Wanzam Camp is the largest camp in the region hosting almost 23,000 displaced people. Many cut down trees in the area in order to help reduce the cost of firewood which can cost up to 30-40 percent of a family's monthly budget.
  • Girls, originally from Nigeria, carry remaining branches and shrubbery from trees that have been cut by other refugees outside of Guam Guam Camp in Diffa, Niger.Garin Wanzam Camp is the largest camp in the region hosting almost 23,000 displaced people. Many cut down trees in the area in order to help reduce the cost of firewood which can cost up to 30-40 percent of a family's monthly budget.
  • A group of women and children search for wood across from the Grain Wanzam Camp in Diffa, Niger.Garin Wanzam Camp is the largest camp in the region hosting almost 23,000 displaced people. Many cut down trees in the area in order to help reduce the cost of firewood which can cost up to 30-40 percent of a family's monthly budget.
  • Issa Bukar walks on the farm land he rents outside of Assaga Camp. Issa Bukar and his family have been living in Diffa for almost two years after fleeing from their home in Assaga, Nigeria. Food aid is insufficient and farming remains to be difficult as the land has not been used from some time leaving the soil hard to plant. Water is also scarce as pumps in the area are broken.
  • Fanta Boulama, 17, stands on the farm land she rents outside of the Al haji Mairai Village/Camp. Fanta, originally from Abadam, Nigeria fled with 8 family members four times over the last two years, finally settled in Diffa. Farming has been very difficult as the soil is tough and water is scarce. They receive no food aid.
  • A herder leads his cows across Diffa, Niger
  • Herders lead their cows to be sold on the market in Northern Nigeria.
  • Herders lead their cows to be sold on the market in Northern Nigeria.
  • Men warm themselves by the fire in Djalori Camp in Diffa, Niger.300,000 people displaced by the Boko Haram crisis are taking refuge in southern Niger, straining the already vulnerable environment of the Lake Chad Basin.
  • Camels take water in Kindjandi Town/Camp in Diffa, Niger.Kindjandi, a town of over 3000 is now supporting close to 23,000 displaced. Before the crisis, Kindjandi had one well to supply the towns people. Then during Ramadan last year, two displaced herders fought over the already scarce water, resulting in one death. Since then, aid agencies installed 15 more wells and 17 bladders containing 10,000L each (filled by truck twice a day) in order to provide enough water for the town, displaced people and the estimated 20,000 animals that visit each day in need of water. But agencies are worried as this is only a temporary solution that is not sustainable.
  • A herder drinks water in Kindjandi Town/Camp in Diffa, Niger.Kindjandi, a town of over 3000 is now supporting close to 23,000 displaced. Before the crisis, Kindjandi had one well to supply the towns people. Then during Ramadan last year, two displaced herders fought over the already scarce water, resulting in one death. Since then, aid agencies installed 15 more wells and 17 bladders containing 10,000L each (filled by truck twice a day) in order to provide enough water for the town, displaced people and the estimated 20,000 animals that visit each day in need of water. But agencies are worried as this is only a temporary solution that is not sustainable.
  • Children fill jerry cans of water in Kindjandi Camp/Town.Kindjandi, a town of over 3000 is now supporting close to 23,000 displaced. Before the crisis, Kindjandi had one well to supply the towns people. Then during Ramadan last year, two displaced herders fought over the already scarce water, resulting in one death. Since then, aid agencies installed 15 more wells and 17 bladders containing 10,000L each (filled by truck twice a day) in order to provide enough water for the town, displaced people and the estimated 20,000 animals that visit each day in need of water. But agencies are worried as this is only a temporary solution that is not sustainable.
  • A Fulani woman collects water in Kindjandi in Diffa, Niger.
  • Halima, 17, originally from Bosso, Niger, on the shore of Lake Chad, cooks outside of her make shift tent at the Kindjandi IDP Camp in Diffa, Niger.
  • Diffa, Niger- A woman walks through Kindjandi IDP camp in Diffa, Niger. (Jane Hahn)
  • A woman sits outside of her hut in Kindjandi in Diffa, Niger.
  • Children play in Kindjandi Town/Camp in Diffa, Niger
  • Outside of Diffa, Niger
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