SITUATION OVERVIEW
In 2023, children and their families in West and Central Africa remained exposed to fragile and increasingly life-threatening environments, with 48.4 million children in need of humanitarian assistance. Children in the region were again affected by multi-dimensional humanitarian crises caused by sustained violent social, intercommunal and political conflicts, climate-related shocks, food insecurity and disease outbreaks such as epidemics in several countries. The compound impact of these crises has led to increased displacement and reduced access to essential services, including the closure of health facilities and schools. By the end of the year, there were an estimated 17.2 million displaced individuals, encompassing internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees. This figure included more than 8.5 million children.
Prolonged food insecurity and malnutrition in the region have been worsened by worldwide disruptions, notably the rising food prices due to global inflation. These elements have also resulted in reduced expectations for economic growth in most countries.