UN Calls for Action on Deepening Sahel Displacement Crisis

UN Calls for Action on Deepening Sahel Displacement Crisis
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The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has issued an urgent appeal for sustained international support to address the rapidly worsening displacement crisis in Africa’s Sahel region, according to Anadolu Agency.

The crisis has uprooted approximately 4 million people across Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and neighboring countries. This figure represents an increase of about two-thirds compared to five years ago.

Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde, UNHCR’s regional director for West and Central Africa, warned that the region cannot tackle these challenges alone.

The mass displacement is being driven by a convergence of factors: insecurity (violence), climate shocks, and food scarcity. Women and children constitute 80% of the displaced population, facing increased risks of gender-based violence and forced recruitment.

The crisis has severely impacted social services, with over 14,800 schools and 900 health facilities forced to close, leaving millions without access to education or medical care. Despite local solidarity, aid operations are strained by dwindling funds, with UNHCR’s $409.7 million appeal only 32% funded.