West and Central Africa: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (28 February – 06 March 2023)

Senegal

Over 1.4 million expected to be food insecure in the lean season

A recent report from the Assessment Capacities Project (ACAPS) has indicated that 1.4 million people in Senegal are expected to be severely food insecure in 2023 lean season, a 62 per cent increase from the October-December 2022 period.
The current food insecurity situation has been exacerbated by various climate hazards, such as droughts and floods, as well as low pasture, insufficient food production, land degradation, and high food prices. Prices have surged by 17 per cent in the local market since October 2022, with the price of locally produced cereals increase of over 60 per cent. This situation has primarily affected people who rely on agricultural activities for their livelihoods, which represents around 70 per cent of the active population, as well as those with low income. It is critical to address this issue by providing emergency food assistance, strengthening local food production systems, and improving food security policies and programmes to prevent such crises from recurring in the future.

Chad

Intercommunal tensions kill at least six people in Guera province

On 27 February, intercommunal tensions reportedly due to cattle theft near the town of Mangalme, Guera province, south of the country, led to the death of at least 6 people, according to humanitarian organisations and local media. Intercommunal tensions in Chad often involve land ownership and have in 2022 resulted in the death of 554 people.
In 2023, intercommunal conflicts have so far killed 22 people.

DR Congo

Strong winds and heavy rains destroy displacement sites in Ituri

On 27 and 28 February, according to humanitarian organisations, strong winds and heavy rains destroyed over 200 shelters in displacement sites in Dhabu, Angumu health zone, in the Ituri province, in the east, leaving over 1,000 people homeless. Many of the displaced people have been hosted by already displaced ones. Most of the shelters built in displacement sites since 2020 have been eroded by rains, risking exacerbating the existing vulnerabilities of displaced people.

Niger

An armed attack in Egarek kills three, displaces 2,100

On 22 and 23 February, humanitarian organisations conducted an evaluation of the diverse needs of people residing in the Tillia district, in the southwest. The evaluation indicated that about 2,100 people were forced to displace and find refuge due to an attack by non-state armed groups in the locality of Egarek. The attack led to the death of more than three people and the injury of many. Displaced people urgently need food, shelter and latrines. About 99 per cent of the displaced people have no shelter or live in deteriorated ones and 78 per cent are in urgent need of food aid.