Dear John,

The emergency in the Sahel is one of the fastest growing crises in the world, yet you are probably not seeing it in your news feeds. The world is not paying attention.

And this is why we urgently need your support.

“The emergency is here, in the Sahel, where people are suffering, are being killed, women are being raped, children cannot go to school,” said the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, during his recent visit.

“Sahel is the place where we must intervene before this crisis becomes unmanageable.”

The Sahel has grappled with a deteriorating humanitarian crisis, made worse by climate change and food insecurity. Violence has forced people like Rinata Baguign to flee their homes, after witnessing the killings of her relatives. Many have been displaced multiple times.

Now, the steady increase of infection rates from COVID-19 indicates another looming emergency.

Women and children are bearing the brunt of this crisis. National health services are overwhelmed, and despite the generosity of local communities, many have reached breaking point.

Please donate now - We urgently need to provide lifesaving help. 

Please give today.

Thank you,

Astrid van Genderen Stort
UNHCR Head of Emergencies and Communications, PSP