Humanitarian crisis in Sahel region of Africa

The Sahel region of Africa is facing unprecedented humanitarian needs as a result of armed conflict, poverty, climate change, food insecurity and political instability. In 2022, more than 33 million people across Burkina Faso, the Far-North of Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Niger, and North-East Nigeria will need live -saving assistance, an increase of more than 25% over the last five years. This makes the Sahel crisis one of the fastest growing crises in the world.

On average, people in the Sahel live 20 years shorter than in Switzerland, maternal mortality is 100 times higher. Access to health has become more limited due to COVID-19, increasing violence and damaged health facilities. In 2021 alone, WHO recorded 122 deaths linked to attacks on health care. The region is regularly affected by large epidemics. More than 110,000 cases of Cholera were recorded in 2021 and yellow fever transmission is at 20 years high. Meanwhile, none of the countries is on track to meet the target of vaccinating 70% of their population against COVID-19 by mid-2022.

In addition to all these challenges, only 50% of the 2021 humanitarian appeal for health in the Sahel, US$ 112 out of US$ 221 million has been funded. During 2022, WHO alone will need US$ 62.12 million to provide lifesaving health assistance across the six countries

In response to the growing crisis, WHO, together with the more than 350 health partners it coordinates across the six countries, is strengthening its presence in the region. To provide immediate life-saving assistance to those in need, WHO mobilized more than US$ 8.3 million from its Contingency Funding for Emergencies. At the same time, WHO supports national authorities in strengthening their health systems.