Assessing the Impact of Refugee Flows in Urban regions of Niger using EO
The EO4SD Fragility, Conflict and Security consortium used satellite imagery to assess the impact of refugee inflows on urban growth and community resilience in south-eastern Niger following the Boko Haram crisis.
Description
In March 2019, the ESA Earth Observation for Sustainable Development (EO4SD) Fragility, Conflict and Security activity began supporting the World Bank’s DIME team in assessing the impact of the Boko Haram crisis in south-eastern Niger. Following attacks in Nigeria, thousands of refugees fled to the Diffa region.
The collaboration used Earth observation data to evaluate how the refugee influx affected the built environment. UNOSAT, a consortium member, analysed satellite imagery mainly from the Sentinel missions, focusing on areas like Chetimari, Bosso, and Maïne-Soroa. They found a rise in man-made structures of up to 386% between 2014 and 2019.
This structural growth acted as a proxy for measuring the crisis’s spatial and social effects. The analysis also tracked increased use of metal roofing, seen as a sign of improved household economic conditions due to its durability and hygiene benefits.
Read more about this Case Study here: Assessing the Impact of Refugee Flows in Urban regions of Niger