Over 3.3 million people in the Central Sahel—comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—have been forcibly displaced due to relentless conflict and the worsening impacts of climate change, according to April 2024 data.

“This staggering number of displaced civilians demands immediate international action to prevent further deterioration,” warned Alpha Seydi Ba, spokesperson for the UNHCR’s West and Central Africa regional office, during a regular UN press briefing in Geneva.

The UNHCR highlights that escalating insecurity in the Central Sahel is driving mass displacement, with civilians fleeing their homes in search of safety and security. Protection risks are pervasive, particularly for women and children who face heightened vulnerability to exploitation, abuse, and trafficking.

Nearly 2.8 million internally displaced across Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger

First-quarter 2024 survey findings reveal that displaced communities and host populations identify theft, attacks on civilians, and gender-based violence as top threats. The situation remains dire, with over 2.8 million people internally displaced across these three countries over the past four years. Additionally, the number of refugees from these nations has surged to 550,000 during the same period.

In Burkina Faso, the dual pressures of violence and inadequate living conditions are perpetuating a cycle of fragility. Over the past year alone, nearly 117,000 Burkinabè refugees have sought refuge in neighboring coastal countries, as recorded in April 2024.

Current refugee figures include over 200,000 Malian refugees in Mauritania, 130,000 in Niger, and nearly 40,000 in Burkina Faso. Another 50,000 have fled to Algeria but lack access to asylum procedures. Meanwhile, Mali hosts approximately 94,000 refugees—primarily from Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mauritania—while grappling with over 354,000 internally displaced persons.

Collaborative approach needed to address Sahel crisis

The UNHCR emphasizes that the rise in cross-border movements underscores the crisis’s severity and the urgent need for a robust response focused on protection, assistance, and sustainable solutions. While significant efforts are underway, critical gaps remain.

The UNHCR is calling on the international community to sustain humanitarian aid amid the region’s political instability to prevent exacerbating existing challenges and fueling future crises. Key priorities include investing in essential social and protection systems and supporting communities before displacement becomes inevitable.

A coordinated approach involving humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding actors is vital. Redirecting funds to local organizations actively engaged on the ground could enhance response effectiveness. The UNHCR requires an additional $443 million to address urgent humanitarian needs in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Mauritania, and Gulf of Guinea countries.