Emergencies

SAHEL REFUGEE CRISIS

4.2 million

More than 4.2 million people have been displaced across the region (as of 2023).

3.7 million

3.7 million people are internally displaced in the region (as of 2023).

10 million

More than 10 million children in the Sahel are in dire need of humanitarian assistance (as of 2022).

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. An estimated 3.7 million people have been internally displaced, and more than half a million refugees and asylum seekers 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.

Communities across the Sahel rely on farming and pastoralism, which are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In the past few years, changes to the ecosystem have fueled a food scarcity crisis and competition over resources, putting millions at risk of food insecurity.

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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More Facts

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.
Only 49 percent of the population in the Sahel have access to electricity and only 12 percent have access to clean water.
Around 64 percent of the population in the Sahel are less than 25-years-old, making it one of the most youthful regions worldwide.

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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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International community must act with ‘urgency’ to end crisis in Central Sahel

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi tells conference that COVID-19 adds a new threat to a region already grappling with record numbers forced to flee their homes.

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UNHCR warns of mounting needs in Sahel as forced displacement intensifies

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Boris Cheshirkov – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

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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?

More Facts about the Sahel Crisis

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Stories from the Sahel Refugee Crisis

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