The Sahel

Irina Fuhrmann

In 2012, an estimated 18.7 million people throughout the Sahel—comprising areas in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, The Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal—experienced food insecurity resulting from inadequate 2011 harvests. USAID staff in Washington, D.C., and in the region continue to closely monitor the situation across the Sahel in conjunction with U.S. embassies and relief agency partners.

HUMANITARIAN FUNDING TO THE SAHEL IN 2013*

*These figures are current as of April 1, 2013

Key Developments

Since fighting in northern Mali began in early 2012, insecurity has displaced more than 460,000 people within Mali and to neighboring countries. On March 20, the Commission on Population Movements reported that Mali hosted approximately 282,500 IDPs, reflecting an 8 percent increase from the 261,000 IDPs recorded in late January. According to the Commission, the surge is attributable to increased registrations of IDP households.

The U.N. estimates that more than 10 million people are at risk of food insecurity across the Sahel Region in 2013. Late 2012 crop assessments indicated that cereal production had risen compared to average production during the past five years. While above-average harvests will likely improve food security conditions overall, factors such as seasonal floods, high food prices, and conflict-related displacement continue to affect vulnerable families. In 2012, an estimated 18.7 million people in the Sahel experienced food insecurity.

The U.S. Government (USG) recently committed more than $51 million to assist food-insecure populations, conflict-affected Malians, and host communities through emergency food, agriculture, health, and WASH assistance, as well as the distribution of relief supplies.