Crisis in the Central Sahel
Attacks on children and violence across the Central Sahel continue to surge and more than 4.3 million children are now in need of humanitarian assistance. This advocacy brief highlights the impact of the insecurity on children and their families, advocating for attacks and threats to stop, and for critical human and financial resources needed to…, The Sahel has long been one of the most vulnerable regions in Africa. But the surge in armed violence across Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger is having a devastating impact on children’s survival, education, protection and development. The sharp increase in armed attacks on communities, schools, health centres and other public institutions and…, Central Sahel crisis at a glance, Map of Central Sahel What’s happening in the Central Sahel? Over the past two years, armed groups have intensified attacks in parts of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. As of November 2019, 1.2 million people were displaced, more than half of them children. This represents a two-fold increase in the number of people displaced by insecurity and armed…, Education under fire, Education was already a major challenge across the affected countries. But across the Central Sahel, attacks and threats on schools and against teachers and students have become more common, worsening access to education. Between April 2017 and December 2019, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger witnessed a six-fold increase in school closures due to…, A protection crisis, Thousands of schools and other social services structures have been closed or are not functioning, leaving tens of thousands of children with little support and increasing their risk of being recruited by armed groups. Those who have been forcibly displaced are at greater risk of being separated from their caregivers and are more likely to face…, Voices from the region, Mali. A woman and daughter walk through the remains of their village. UNICEF/UN0296566/Keïta UNICEF/UNI211133/Haro UNICEF/UNI211133/Haro, Vital social services disrupted, Access to health care, nutritious foods, safe drinking water and other social services has been seriously compromised, impacting all aspects of children’s lives – their safety, health and wellbeing. Displaced children and their families are being hosted in communities that had limited access to social services even before the current crisis, which…, How is UNICEF helping?, Mali. Dr. Macoura Oulare, Chief of Child Survival Development at UNICEF Mali, plays with a child who has been receiving micronutrient powders. Dr. Macoura Oulare, Chief of Child Survival Development at UNICEF Mali, plays with a child who has been receiving micronutrient powders. UNICEF is on the ground in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, working with…, Help UNICEF meet the needs of children in the Central Sahel, January 2020, ACentral Sahel Advocacy BriefUNICEF January 2020January 2020 Central SahelAdvocacy Brief The surge in armed violence across Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger is having a devastating impact on childrens survival, education, protection and development. The Sahel, a region of immense potential, has long been one of the most vulnerable regions in Africa,…
