A year with lots of impressions and experiences draws to an end. One of the conclusions we perceived during our engagement of long standing is that the Swiss presence has to be intensified. How can we achieve this aim?

 

After numerous evenings of discussing what policy to pursue, we have decided to found ENMIGRAW Suisse.

As a result, our non-profit association was established on 6^th September 2007 and in the meantime the bylaws have also been approved. The management team consists of:

 

- Anita Hess Inwilli                Chairwoman

- Mouhamed Inwilli               Vice president

- Sandra Genelin                  Actuary

- Bea Bachofner                   Cashier

 

According to our slogan „engagement commits“, we are currently in the process of obtaining the eagerly awaited tax exemption.

At the same time we are very much concerned about the current instable political situation in the North of Niger. We feel that it is our obligation to report frankly about the state of affairs.

 

In our opinion, the background of this conflict lies in the continuing discrimination of the resident population of this sparse desert area. Neglected development projects by the Nigerien government have in the long run led to social and economical misery. Currently an open conflict between the army and a group named „Mouvement des Nigériens pour la Justice“  (Nigerian movement for justice) has broken out.

And as always, those who finally suffer the most under such militant encounters are the civil population – there’s no more left than to take refuge from military checkpoints, curfews and scattered landmines. People pack their belongings on donkeys and move with their already reduced herd in areas known as less dangerous.

The military repression has put the area in an extremely precarious situation. Missing deliveries let food prices shoot up to unaffordable heights, thus it’s impossible for the Nomads to buy millet or rice. Everyday life is ruled by fear and even though their taking flight has taken them into a less dangerous area, they have now to cope with the drawback of fewer wells. As a further implication of the current situation all schools in the Talak region have been closed, which caused an adverse effect on the educational situation of the Tuareg children.

 

It is of utmost importance that in difficult times as these we continue our work and unfailingly set out for the next projects planned:

 

Before the beginning of this conflict, we had successfully reconstructed three wells in the Gougaram area. TheTuareg families’ request had reached ENMIGRAW in late spring and now those wells are also in use for watering the various gardens that are indispensable for their life. Those wells are the result of immediate action after a short inspection of the damages on site.

 The reason for the damages met was mostly a poor concrete quality or an insufficient reinforcement of the top part of the well. One of the wells showed a decayed pulling tool; another one had to be deepened and with the help of the resident Tuareg population the work proceeded in no time, so that after a couple of days water was flowing again into the various gardens.

As you can see – the end of year is neither an end nor a beginning – and we do hope to keep you posted with better news next time.

 

 

Anita, Mouhamed, Bea and Sandra