Saudi Arabia to Host Conference to Support Displaced and Refugees in the Sahel and Lake Chad Region

In response to the severe humanitarian crisis in Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, and Mali, Saudi Arabia, represented by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, announced its hosting of a donors’ conference to support displaced persons and refugees in the Sahel and Lake Chad region on October 26, 2024, in collaboration with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

The conference aims to mobilize resources for humanitarian and developmental initiatives targeting affected populations, including displaced persons and refugees, with a particular focus on UN-coordinated humanitarian response plans. It also seeks to raise awareness about the multifaceted crisis and address it by building strong partnerships to enhance effective humanitarian response and provide greater support for long-term solutions.

UN estimates indicate that nearly 33 million people across the Sahel and Lake Chad regions are in urgent need of humanitarian aid and protection, including 11 million displaced persons and refugees in the region.

The Sahel and Lake Chad regions have been facing a multifaceted crisis for more than a decade, marked by significant challenges that have led to social and economic instability, in addition to disruptions to livelihoods. Furthermore, the drying up of Lake Chad, which serves as a lifeline for millions, has exacerbated the humanitarian situation, necessitating urgent intervention.

The Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, expressed the commitment to supporting the residents of the Sahel and Lake Chad regions, describing the conference as a crucial step toward mobilizing the necessary resources and establishing partnerships to address urgent humanitarian challenges and needs in these regions. He emphasized that together, it is possible to bring hope and relief to millions.

The Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Hissein Brahim Taha, expressed pride in implementing the decision of the Council of Foreign Ministers of OIC member states. He stated that the conference aims to rally humanitarian aid to support refugees and displaced persons in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions, calling on donor countries within the OIC and international donor institutions and partners to seize this opportunity and provide the necessary financial resources to help improve conditions for vulnerable communities in these troubled areas.

Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya noted, “The Sahel and Lake Chad regions are facing an unprecedented crisis, and this conference represents a crucial opportunity for the international community and affected countries to work together to mobilize more resources and support, not only for immediate humanitarian response but to help the region emerge from the crisis and achieve its immense potential.”