The Sahel region has experienced a significant increase in violence and insecurity, which has continued to escalate in 2022. Countries like Burkina Faso and Niger have been hit hard by the conflict, with the situation deteriorating to new levels. UN experts have warned that the situation will likely worsen in 2023, leading to what the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) describes as "the worst humanitarian needs in years."

The Sahel region comprises Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria, and according to OCHA, the humanitarian crisis in the region has affected approximately 34.8 million people who require urgent assistance. Moreover, an additional 3 million individuals are expected to require support this year. The humanitarian needs of the region are diverse and include food insecurity, displacement, and access to essential services such as healthcare and clean water. The situation in the Sahel is dire, and concerted efforts are needed to alleviate the suffering of the affected communities.

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How did it get so bad?

The Sahel region has been facing significant challenges in recent years, with ongoing conflicts and increasing security incidents since 2018. The situation in the region has deteriorated significantly, with the emergence of non-state armed groups causing widespread violence and insecurity. These groups have carried out attacks on both civilians and military targets, leading to significant loss of life and displacement of communities.

Moreover, the Sahel region has also been severely affected by the climate crisis, exacerbating an already difficult situation for its residents. The region is facing desertification, land degradation, and other environmental challenges that have adversely impacted the livelihoods of millions of people in the area. Most of the residents in these countries rely heavily on agriculture for their food and livelihoods, making them particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

These challenges have led to significant humanitarian needs in the Sahel region, including food insecurity, displacement, and limited access to essential services like healthcare and clean water. The region requires concerted efforts from governments, international organizations, and civil society to address the root causes of the crisis and alleviate the suffering of the affected communities.

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What’s being done

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is committed to working with governments to enhance the protection environment for refugees and find sustainable solutions for them. One of the primary objectives is to achieve the goals of the #IBelong Campaign to end statelessness by 2024. To achieve this, UNHCR will explore all opportunities for solutions, including local integration, voluntary repatriation, and resettlement for the most vulnerable refugees, where the conditions for a safe and dignified return are met.

Partnering with local and national responders, UNHCR will invest in existing community-based structures and seek to integrate climate action as part of its response. Strategic partnerships with development actors will focus on initiatives that will help to unlock sustainable solutions for the displaced, including measures to address the root causes of forced displacement.

At the regional level, UNHCR will continue its engagement with UN-wide coordination mechanisms such as the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel, which aims to address the complex challenges of the region, including security, governance, humanitarian assistance, and development. Moreover, UNHCR will advance opportunities for the Sahel as part of the Regional Collaborative Platform, which seeks to promote collaboration and coordination among partners to address the humanitarian and development needs of the affected communities.

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