The Central Sahel region continues to grapple with a severe humanitarian situation. In Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, an estimated 7.5 million children are in desperate need of immediate aid, despite some notable advancements in health, education, and civil registration services.
UNICEF urges global engagement
Following a 14-day assessment mission in the area, Ted Chaiban, UNICEF’s Deputy Executive Director, raised concerns that this profound crisis remains largely under-recognized on the international stage.
He described a region where populations demonstrate remarkable resilience, yet simultaneously endure the lasting consequences of persistent insecurity, escalating climate disruptions, and complex socio-economic adversities.
Displacement, violence, and closed schools
According to data compiled by UNICEF, over 3.6 million individuals have been compelled to flee their homes due to intense violence. The United Nations has also recorded more than 1,500 severe violations against children, encompassing murders, abductions, and recruitment into armed groups.
The educational system is also profoundly affected by this crisis. By 2025, over 8,400 schools had become inaccessible, effectively denying countless children their right to learn and significantly increasing their vulnerability to illnesses, psychological trauma, and extreme poverty.