ReliefWeb

SAHEL REGION

13.5 MILLION PEOPLE MIGHT FALL INTO POVERTY DUE TO CLIMATE SHOCKS

According to the World Bank recently published Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) for the G5 Sahel region, which includes Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Chad, up to 13.5 million people might fall into poverty across the Sahel by the year 2050 because of climate shocks, if immediate climate adaptation measures are not taken. The Sahel region is particularly susceptible to land degradation because of increasingly severe floods, droughts, and other climate change effects. Of the G5 countries, Chad, Niger, and Mali are among the most vulnerable countries to climate change in the region, and their capacity to adapt is severely hampered by their vulnerability and poverty.

In addition to climate shocks, the region has been struggling with conflict, insecurity, and violence, for over a decade resulting in humanitarian crises. Insecurity and violence have forced people to internally displace to seek safety, with over 1,9 million internally displaced persons in Burkina Faso, 381,000 in Chad, about 348,000 in Niger, and 397,000 in Mali. People have also moved outside of their countries to seek refuge, with about 681,000 refugees in Niger, about 569,000 in Chad, over 92,000 in Mauritania, over 56,000 in Mali, and about 28,000 in Burkina Faso. With 6.1 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in Chad, 7.5 million in Mali, 4.9 million in Burkina Faso, and 3.7 million in Niger, these countries’ governments along with aid organizations have developed Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs) to provide assistance to crisis-affected people. In 2022, the HRP in Burkina Faso requires US$561.4 million, in Mali US$576 million, in Chad US$500 million, and in Niger US$561.4 million. However, about three quarters of the year have passed and only 33 per cent of the funding required for HRPs in the four countries have been received.

GUINEA

FLOODS IN CONAKRY KILLED THREE, AFFECTED 2,576 OTHERS

On 17 September, severe floods ravaged the capital Conakry, killing three people – including two by electrocution – and affecting 2,576 people, including 137 children, according to the media. The Ministry of Territorial Administration announced they will take measures in the coming days to address the “anarchic and cumbersome constructions which are obstructing water passages". The National Agency for the Management of Emergencies and Humanitarian Disasters report on the floods’ impact should be finalized in the coming days.

NIGER

HEAVY RAINFALL AFFECTS ABOUT 227,000 PEOPLE

Heavy rainfall that began in early July has been claiming lives and wreaking havoc on houses and infrastructures. According to national authorities, floods killed 168 people and affected about 227,000 people as of 19 September. The southern Maradi region has the highest number, with over 69,000 affected people. Humanitarian organizations aid in response to priority needs such as food, shelter, and non-food items. However, needs are increasing due to continuous torrential rainfall.