The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has issued an urgent appeal for $4.7 billion to assist 20.9 million vulnerable people in parts of Nigeria, Chad, and five other African countries. The Sahel region, spanning Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal, is grappling with a myriad of crises exacerbated by instability, security challenges, and the impacts of climate change.
In its 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Requirement Overview report, published on Thursday, the OCHA highlighted the dire situation facing 32.8 million people across the Sahel. These individuals are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and protection services due to escalating violence, conflict-induced displacement, and disruptions to basic social services.
In Nigeria, particularly in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, 7.9 million people require assistance, with 4.4 million targeted for aid. The region faces challenges such as school closures affecting 2.2 million children, shuttered health centers, and the presence of two million refugees and asylum seekers, in addition to 5.6 million internally displaced persons.
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Charles Bernimolin, the regional head of OCHA, emphasized the critical role of humanitarian organizations and international partners in responding to crises. However, he underscored the persistent challenge of inadequate resources hindering effective humanitarian action. Bernimolin urged the international community to step up support to prevent further escalation of the humanitarian crisis in the Sahel.
Despite efforts to provide lifesaving assistance and protection services to over 15.6 million people across the Sahel in 2023, funding gaps persisted, leaving millions without vital aid. As of June 3, 2024, only 16 percent of the humanitarian funding requirements for the region’s response plans had been met. Without adequate support, humanitarian operations risk collapse, endangering the lives of millions across the Sahel.
The OCHA’s appeal underscores the urgent need for international solidarity and financial assistance to address the humanitarian crisis in the Sahel. As the region grapples with multiple challenges, including conflict, displacement, and climate-related vulnerabilities, timely and robust support is essential to alleviate suffering and save lives.
