UNHCR Reports More Than 3.3 Million Forcibly Displaced in Sahel
African Woman, June 2024 Photo: UNHCR
June 7, 2024 Hour: 10:18 pm
These people suffer theft, attacks and gender-based violence as the main risks.
More than 3.3 million people were forcibly displaced in the central Sahel countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger due to armed conflicts against extremist groups, a situation exacerbated by the worsening effects of the climate crisis, according to data from April 2024, reported the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
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“The security situation in the central Sahel is volatile, forcing people to flee their homes in search of safety and security. The risks of protection are widespread,” said the entity’s statement.
He also denounced that these people of transit suffer robberies, attacks and gender violence as the main risks. “Women and children are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and trafficking,” the agency said.
It also highlighted the lack of adequate shelter, safe drinking water and sanitation as aggravating circumstances.
According to the document, “although 2.8 million people have been internally displaced in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger in the last four years, the number of refugees from these three countries has soared to 550,000 during the same period”.
In that regard, he stressed that “the increase in cross-border movement underlines the deepening crisis and the continued need to respond to needs in the Sahel by investing in protection, assistance and durable solutions. Enormous efforts are being made, but much remains to be done”.
Autor: CC
Fuente: EFE-UNHCR
