In light of the severe humanitarian crisis affecting Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, and Mali, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced plans to host a high-level ministerial donor conference on October 26, 2024, with the support of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The United Nations estimates that approximately 33 million people across the region require humanitarian assistance, including around 11 million who are internally displaced or refugees in the Sahel and Lake Chad region.
The conference, co-hosted by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) and the OIC, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), aims to mobilize resources and coordinate efforts to provide critical support.
The goal is to save lives, protect civilians, and promote initiatives that help those affected emerge from the crisis.
The Sahel and Lake Chad regions have faced a multifaceted crisis for over a decade, leading to significant social and economic instability. The drying up of Lake Chad, which serves as a vital resource for millions, has further worsened the situation, making urgent intervention necessary.
The conference aims to raise funds for humanitarian and development projects, particularly those aligned with UN-coordinated Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs), and to build strong partnerships for an effective humanitarian response and long-term solutions.
Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of KSrelief, emphasized the importance of supporting the people in these regions, stating that the conference is a critical step toward mobilizing the necessary resources and partnerships.
OIC Secretary-General His Excellency Hissein Brahim Taha and UN representatives also underscored the urgent need for international cooperation to address the severe challenges facing the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, including conflict, instability, climate change, and food insecurity.
The conference will feature a high-level discussion focused on the urgent needs of vulnerable communities in these affected areas.
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