The Sahel region is facing one of its most severe humanitarian crises in recent history, with nearly 4 million people displaced—a staggering 66% increase over the past five years. The crisis is driven by escalating insecurity, limited access to essential services, and the growing impacts of climate change, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
While most displaced individuals remain within their home countries, cross-border movements are becoming increasingly common. This trend is placing unprecedented strain on host communities and national systems across Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and neighboring nations. Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde, Regional Director for West and Central Africa at the UNHCR, highlighted this challenge during a recent press briefing, emphasizing the urgent need for international support.
Humanitarian access and funding under severe pressure
The Sahel’s humanitarian landscape has deteriorated sharply since 2022, with soaring needs and shrinking resources. The UNHCR has issued a renewed call for strengthened international commitment to address the crisis in Central Sahel, as countries in the region cannot tackle these challenges alone. So far this year, the agency has received less than one-third of its $409 million funding appeal.
The funding shortfall has severely impacted critical services, including registration, documentation, education, healthcare, and shelter. More than 212,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger remain unregistered, severely limiting their access to essential services and increasing risks of arbitrary detention and harassment, Gnon-Konde warned.
escalating violence and systemic risks
The ongoing violence by armed groups continues to exacerbate the crisis, exposing civilians to extreme dangers such as forced recruitment, restricted movement, and unlawful detention. Women and children constitute 80% of the forcibly displaced population, with gender-based violence remaining a pervasive and growing threat. The Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s protection monitoring system for West and Central Africa reported a significant rise in such incidents this year.
collapsed education and healthcare systems
In this climate of instability, over 900 health facilities have been forced to close, depriving millions of access to vital medical care. Additionally, more than 14,800 schools have shut down across the region as of mid-2025, leaving 3 million children without education and safe spaces. This situation further exposes vulnerable youth to risks such as forced recruitment and human trafficking.
The UNHCR also noted that food insecurity has become a major driver of displacement. The proportion of displaced individuals and host community members citing it as a reason for leaving has doubled in recent years. Climate-related shocks are exacerbating these challenges, intensifying competition for scarce resources like land and water and undermining social cohesion with host communities.
a call for urgent action
The UNHCR is urging the international community to renew and strengthen its engagement to address the Central Sahel crisis. Without immediate and sustained support, the humanitarian toll will continue to rise, further destabilizing an already fragile region. The agency’s plea underscores the critical need for both increased funding and improved humanitarian access to protect and assist those most affected by this unfolding tragedy.
