Sahel Crisis: 2011-2017Ongoing
In the Sahel, extreme poverty, climate change, armed conflict and insecurity continue to threaten the lives of millions already living on the brink. These interdependent drivers are behind the staggering levels of structural, chronic and acute vulnerability present in the region. Where the chronic seasonal cycle is broken, progress and success can be seen. Where conflict hits, hard-won gains are quickly lost and new challenges appear.
Communities across the region remain highly vulnerable. In 2017, around 30 million people are expected to face food insecurity, and almost 12 million of them at crisis and emergency levels. Pockets of pasture deficits have been observed in certain areas of Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger, and risks of locusts have been identified in Mauritania and neighboring areas. The situation of people living in the conflict-affected regions of Mali and the Lake Chad Basin, is particularity critical.
In 2017, in the more stable regions of the Sahel such as Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Senegal, where needs are driven by chronic vulnerability, humanitarian action has been fully aligned with resilience and development frameworks.
Lake Chad Basin: The scale of suffering remains huge and is expected to grow: around 11 million people will require assistance in 2017. Humanitarian partners have requested US$1.5 billion to provide aid to 8.2 million people. While the response strategy focuses us on providing emergency, life-saving assistance, humanitarian actors are also calling for a collaborative approach to help address the deeper causes of the Lake Chad Basin crisis that include abject poverty, the impact of climate change, rapid population growth and under-investment in social services. At the Oslo conference on 24 Feb 2017, 14 donors pledged $458 million for relief in 2017 and an additional $214 million was announced for 2018 and beyond. (OCHA, 24 Feb 2017)
Mali: Needs remain high with more than 3.5 million people being food insecure and some 852,000 people in need of nutrition assistance. More than 37,000 people remain internally displaced. The majority of those in need of assistance are in Mali’s northern region. In April 2017, the Humanitarian Response Plan for 2017 for $293 million was only 11.6% funded. OCHA warned of destabilizing consequences, as the humanitarian situation is quickly deteriorating as a direct result of the conflict. (OCHA, 28 Apr 2017)
For 2017, the humanitarian community will require US$ 2.66 billion to help 15 million people, across 8 countries. (OCHA, 7 Dec 2016)
As of 18 August 2017, the humanitarian response plan for West and Central Africa was 34% funded. (OCHA, 18 Aug 2017)
• President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf opened the High-level Panel on International Migration in Africa in Monrovia. The High Level Panel, established by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) seeks to make recommendations to build and sustain political consensus on implementing the international migration development agenda. The panel will hold consultations at the national, regional and global levels, and will report to the African Union Heads of State Summit in July 2018.
FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
Planting of 2017 cereal crops has started in most parts of the country under generally favourable conditions
Above-average crop production gathered in 2016 due to adequate rainfall throughout the season
Prices of millet and sorghum are on increase, while livestock prices are falling
Unusual deterioration of livestock conditions with increased mortality is observed in parts resulting in declaration of pastoral crisis in June 2017
What are the strengths and weaknesses of migration programming that has taken place / is underway in north and sub-Saharan Africa? Specifically, in areas such as livelihoods support, protection of migrants, border security and support for resettlement and voluntary return?
This overview document presents incidents affecting health workers, facilities and ambulances between January and June 2017. It includes incidents identified by Insecurity Insight's monitoring of open sources. The actual number of incidents affecting healthcare is undoubtedly higher.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is appealing for US$421.2 million to help provide meaningful alternatives to refugees and others undertaking dangerous journeys to Europe.
The number of refugees and migrants arriving in Europe from Africa through Libya is increasing and, with it, the risks they face crossing the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea. In the first six months of this year, 2,171 refugees and migrants died or went missing in the Central Mediterranean, many others are believed to have died trying to cross into Libya.
Insights from the Mixed Migration Monitoring Mechanism initiative (4Mi) in Mali and Niger
• The Mixed Migration Monitoring Mechanism initiative (4Mi) collects data on the conditions of mixed migration movements across various regions. It is implemented by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and the Regional Mixed Migration Secretariat.
This report is a comprehensive presentation of data on migration patterns across Libya gathered through IOM’s DTM programme for April-May.