Unhcr urges global support for four million displaced in the Sahel
unhcr urges global support for four million displaced in the Sahel
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has issued an urgent appeal for robust international assistance to bolster its critical operations across the Sahel region. This pressing call comes as the number of displaced individuals in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and surrounding nations approaches 4 million, representing a substantial two-thirds increase over the past five years. This severe displacement crisis is primarily driven by persistent insecurity, restricted access to essential services, and the escalating impacts of climate change.
Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde, Director of the UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for West and Central Africa, highlighted in a press briefing that while the majority of those displaced within the region remain within their national borders, cross-border movements are becoming increasingly common. This trend places significant strain on host communities and national infrastructure, exacerbating existing challenges.
These ongoing population displacements are unfolding amidst severe constraints on both humanitarian access and crucial funding. The Sahel region has witnessed a dramatic surge in humanitarian needs, yet resources allocated to address this crisis have dwindled significantly since 2022, creating a critical gap.
Critical funding shortfalls impacting Sahel relief efforts
The UNHCR is advocating for a renewed and strengthened global commitment to effectively tackle the complex crisis in the central Sahel. The nations within the region are simply unable to manage these immense challenges independently. Alarmingly, the agency has secured less than a third of its vital $409 million funding appeal for the current year, severely impeding its capacity to respond.
Key humanitarian activities, including refugee registration, documentation, educational programs, health services, and shelter provisions, have been severely compromised by these budget cuts. Mr. Gnon-Konde further noted that over 212,000 refugees and asylum-seekers across Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger remain unregistered. This lack of official recognition restricts their access to vital services and heightens their vulnerability to arbitrary detention and harassment, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive support.
These financial reductions coincide with the persistent and escalating violence perpetrated by jihadist groups. The widespread insecurity plaguing the entire Sahel region leaves communities exposed to extreme violence, forced recruitment, severe movement restrictions, and arbitrary detentions, further destabilizing an already fragile environment.
Women and children constitute a staggering 80% of the forcibly displaced population in the Sahel, where gender-based violence (GBV) remains a pervasive and critical concern. Data from the inter-agency protection monitoring system in West and Central Africa indicates a significant increase this year in the number of individuals affected by such horrific incidents, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced protective measures.
Widespread school and health facility closures exacerbate crisis
Amidst this pervasive insecurity, over 900 health facilities have been forced to cease operations, consequently denying millions of individuals access to vital medical care. By mid-2025, more than 14,800 schools across the Sahel region had closed their doors, leaving 3 million children without access to education and safe learning environments. This dire situation further exposes forcibly displaced youth to increased risks of forced recruitment and human trafficking, underscoring the profound impact on their futures.
Furthermore, food insecurity has emerged as an increasingly significant driver of displacement. The proportion of both displaced individuals and members of host communities citing it as a primary cause for their movement has doubled in recent years, indicating a worsening humanitarian landscape.
The UNHCR also reports that climate-related shocks are intensifying existing risks, exacerbating competition for scarce natural resources like land and water. This environmental stress creates additional barriers to peaceful coexistence and social cohesion between displaced populations and their host communities, complicating resolution efforts.