If you are a migrant, asylum seeker or refugee and you have just arrived in Agadez and need accommodation, this article can help you find your way around with information on the accommodation services available.

Unfortunately, there are not many structures that offer housing services in Agadez. However, we advise you to read this article carefully and to follow the indications that we provide you.

Which structures offer accommodation to migrants in Agadez?

The only structures that offer accommodation in Agadez are the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

How to access the International Organization for Migration (IOM) center?

The International Organization for Migration opens the doors of its transit center only to candidates for the voluntary return program.

It is important to understand that IOM's Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Program is a program that aims to provide the possibility of an orderly return and reintegration in conditions that respect human dignity to migrants who cannot or do not want to stay in the host country and wish to return voluntarily to their country of origin.

                   How do I access this program?

To access the IOM voluntary return program, you must be either a :

- A person whose asylum application has been rejected or withdrawn ;

- A migrant in distress;

- A victim of trafficking; or

- A member of another vulnerable group, such as unaccompanied migrant children or those with health needs.   

              How does the program work?

Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR): IOM assists all migrant persons, notional and interactive, who wish to return home. The implementation of the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration program relies on the cooperation and participation of a large number of actors such as governments of countries of origin, consulates, and embassies.

Reintegration Assistance: aims at enabling voluntary returnees to achieve economic self-sufficiency, social resilience within their communities and psychosocial well-being to cope with the factors of (re)migration.

Thus, IOM even provides training to support migrants to undertake professional activities. These trainings cover several topics such as agriculture, business management, etc.

Is it necessary to observe a quarantine period?

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, IOM requires a mandatory quarantine for all migrants who wish to be housed in its centers.

In Agadez, migrants returned or refouled from Algeria must necessarily spend the quarantine period at the Assamaka site (located next to the new border crossing) if they wish to benefit from IOM support. Access to the site is possible at any time, which will allow the various waves of expelled migrants who often come at non-service hours to enter.

For migrants who do not pass through the Assamaka center, they must present a document signed by a doctor on duty attesting that they have observed the confinement period.

Only once in the center can you benefit from IOM's protection and assistance:

• Direct Assistance to Migrants: The International Organization for Migration provides direct assistance to migrants in its six transit centres located in Niger, in Niamey (3), Agadez (1), Arlit (1) and Dirkou (1). The centres are open and the stay is voluntary. On-site assistance includes food, water, shelter, and medical and psychosocial assistance.
• Protection services: for accompanied minors, unaccompanied minors, victims of trafficking, IOM guarantees several protection services and accompaniments available in the centers. IOM provides comprehensive assistance to minors, including placement in the centre, tracing their families, assisted return and reintegration in their region or country of origin If you are a woman, have children or are a minor, IOM's centre provides you with assistance services.

How do I access the UNHCR center?  

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has a humanitarian camp to accommodate asylum seekers whose application has been recognized as valid. That is, there is no accommodation site for new arrivals, but there is a possibility for them to file an asylum application with the Direction Régionale de l'Etat Civil, Migrations et Réfugiés (DREC-M-R) - the Regional Department of Civil Status, Migration and Refugees. It is only when the procedure is successful that the asylum seeker can expect to receive support from the HRC for basic needs such as access to the humanitarian center with some health and food support as well as support for primary education.

Addresses and opening hours of the centers:

Visit the IOM-Agadez Center located in district called Dubai

From 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

and in the evening from 2pm to 5.30pm

The UNHCR humanitarian site is located in the Maï Adouwa district and opens its doors only in the mornings from 8am to 1pm, Monday to Friday in the week.  

Are there other types of accommodation for migrants in transit in Agadez?

There are no other forms of accommodation for people in transit in Agadez apart from those offered by IOM for migrants applying for the voluntary return program and UNHCR for asylum seekers whose applications have been approved.

However, there are commercial accommodations such as hotels and transit huts in the cities of Agadez, Arlit, and Dirkou for those who wish to stay at their own expense.

For any questions you can contact us through

• Our Facebook page Sheega.info and our website https://www.sheega.info/hc/fr  Monday to Thursday from 8am to 5.45pm and Fridays from 8am to 1pm.
• You can also call us at these same times on our toll-free numbers 92 90 55 55 or 98 31 38 24