There are currently at least 7,000 migrants stuck in the Republic of Niger who are trying to reach Europe.
This comes following the coup on July 26 and the subsequent closing of the nation's borders.
The refugees who have been attempting to return home are stranded in Niger.
The junta in Niger barred its airspace, while neighboring nations shuttered border crossings as part of travel and economic restrictions, making it difficult for citizens to flee.
The democratically elected president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, was deposed on July 26 by the presidential guard.
Because of this, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed sanctions and warned the coup's organizers that they risked military involvement if they didn't recognize Bazoum as the real president.
According to AP, United Nations officials estimate that 1,800 migrants are living on Niger's streets because IOM-run centers were at capacity and couldn't accommodate any more. There are roughly 5,000 individuals trying to get home in the centers.
This year, according to Paola Pace, the agency's acting interim chief of mission in Niger, the UN agency has been helping about 1,250 people a month return to their home countries. However, due to the closure of borders and airspace, it was compelled to temporarily halt returns, and as a result, its centers are now 14 percent full.
Given the limited chances for voluntary return and the already overcrowded facilities, she added, "this situation poses challenges for migrants, who may experience heightened stress and uncertainty."
Pace voiced concern that the delay in the transit of African migrants trying to return home could lead to increased exploitation of weak people by traffickers and smugglers who typically target migrants trying to reach Europe.
Assamakka, a village in northern Niger close to the Algerian border, is home to migrants who claim that since the coup, an extra 1,300 individuals have invaded the town's center in an effort to return home.
COOPI helps the U.N. host people but has issued a warning that if the borders don't open soon, it would run out of food and water.
Aid organizations are unable to bring in food and medical supplies, in addition to migrants being unable to leave.
According to COOPI's chief of mission in Niger, Morena Zucchelli, the organization only has enough food supplies to survive through the end of August and will run out of money at the end of September.
We can't promise that things will keep going if the situation doesn't alter, she said.
