Emergencies

SAHEL REFUGEE CRISIS

2.7 million

2.7 million people have been internally displaced across the region fleeing violence and persecution.

29 million

29 million people in dire need of humanitarian assistance, five million of them are children.

1.6 million

1.6 million children are severely malnourished and in Central Sahel, 1 million children under five are affected by acute malnutrition.

About the Crisis in Sahel

The Sahel, a vast semi-arid region in Africa that includes the countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, is experiencing one of the world’s most severe humanitarian and protection crises.

Indiscriminate attacks by armed groups and militias, insecurity, widespread human right violations, including gender-based violence and violence against children, and the effects of climate change have triggered massive displacements across the region. Nearly 2.7 million people have been internally displaced, and more than 920,000 have sought refuge in neighboring countries. The crisis is already affecting neighboring countries, such as Mauritania and Chad, and risks spilling over to Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo.

The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has posed additional challenges in this already dire situation. Despite low number of cases reported, the pandemic risks overwhelming national health capacities and wreaking havoc among the most vulnerable communities. So far, lockdowns and other preventive measures have exacerbated food insecurity in areas hosting refugees and IDPs, pushing at least 6 million people into extreme poverty and 4.8 million to suffer from acute malnutrition.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is scaling up efforts to meet the growing demands of vulnerable populations through the provision of emergency shelter, lifesaving relief items, healthcare and education services as well as psychological support to victims of sexual and gender-based violence (SVBG).

The UN Refugee Agency is also working with the governments of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger to launch an intergovernmental platform, called Bamako Process, aimed at strengthening the security and protection of vulnerable populations across the region.

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Climate Change Effects

The central Sahel is one of the world’s most vulnerable regions to the effects of climate change, with temperature increases that are 1.5 higher than the global average.

Displacement

With 80 percent of the population depending on agriculture and livestock activities, the changes in rainfall patterns and frequency of drought and floods -all product of the extreme temperatures- are threatening livelihoods and exacerbating food insecurity in the region. This, in turn, threatens to increase conflict, instability and more displacement across the region.

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Stories from the Sahel Refugee Crisis

World Africa Day: Four refugees who are bringing peace and unity to their communities

On World Africa Day, we acknowledge the continent's forcibly displaced individuals in dire need of humanitarian assistance while celebrating the refugee leaders who are empowering one another.

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Decade of Sahel conflict leaves 2.5 million people displaced

UNHCR is calling for concerted international action to end armed conflict in Africa’s Central Sahel region, which has forced more than 2.5 million people to flee their homes in the last decade.

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How climate change impacts refugees and displaced communities

Millions of people are uprooted from their homes every year due to natural disasters and extreme weather events. Here’s a 101 on how climate change is impacting forced displacement around the world.

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Displaced Families in Burkina Faso Reclaim Dignity with New Clothes

USA for UNHCR’s New Clothes, New Beginnings initiative created with a gift in kind of six million units of clothing from Gap Inc. delivers hope and possibility to displaced families in Burkina Faso.

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Emergencies

About the Crisis in Sahel

How to Help Refugees in the Sahel Region

What is UNHCR doing to help refugees in the Sahel?

Climate Change in the Sahel

Make a Monthly Gift

Help Refugee Families

Stories from the Sahel Refugee Crisis

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