Trauma and Migration: Examining African Displaced People's Experiences in Niger

Our exploratory qualitative study sought to examine the traumatic experiences lived, in the pre-migration, migration, and post-migration phases, by refugees and asylum seekers of African displaced people in Niger. Namely, in-depth semi-structured interviews were pursued on 50 participants (mean age 29 years), recruited through purposive convenience sampling via a local NGO in Niger. The analysis of the interviews revealed four main themes: the scenario in which refugees live, permeated by prolonged conflict, economic and political instability and the loss of loved ones; the everyday life marked by sexual violence, torture, family abuse, discrimination, imprisonment and deprivation situations; mental and physical health constantly at risk due to the challenges faced daily; and the search for safety and support, also as an underlying driver of the decision to migrate.The findings underscore the challenges of daily life marked by various forms of trauma such as sexual violence, torture, discrimination, and deprivation. Additionally, the study emphasizes the perpetual risks to both mental and physical health due to these adversities. Moreover, it illuminates how the pursuit of safety and support serves as a fundamental motivator for their migration decisions, shedding light on the complex and compelling factors driving their displacement.