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Regional Humanitarian Fund for West and Central Africa Annual Report 2022

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REGIONAL HUMANITARIAN CONTEXT

Humanitarian situation in 2022 The West and Central Africa region1 is the epicenter of a fast-growing crisis with unprecedented levels of armed violence and insecurity. Millions of people are being driven to the brink of survival due to the confluence of conflict, deepening poverty, demographic pressures, urbanization, weak governance, chronically high food insecurity and malnutrition, and the effects of climate change.
The compounded effects on the most vulnerable people are devastating. More than 64.5 million people in the region needed assistance and protection in 2022, 4.5 million more than in 2021. That is over one person in 10. It is predicted that about 5 million additional people will need assistance and protection in 2023, due to considerable new vulnerabilities and increasing levels of extreme poverty across the whole region bringing the total to 69 million people in need.

Violence and climate shocks are the main drivers of a dramatic food crisis, with over 75 million people (15 per cent of the region’s total people) experiencing severe food insecurity. This year, the region’s number of acutely food insecure people is the highest in the last eight years. It is predicted that north-east Nigeria and Burkina Faso, which are experiencing extreme hunger, will slip into famine if conditions worsen. Large parts of the region have become inaccessible to humanitarian agencies, leaving communities without access to lifesaving assistance.

Internal displacements Conflicts in the region show no signs of abating, and they take a heavy toll on civilians. Millions are caught between armed groups, intercommunal violence, and military operations, and are forced to flee their homes to seek safety. Over 10 million people have been forcibly displaced, internally or outside their country because of more security incidents, attacks and kidnappings than ever before.

The impact of climate change Climate change is driving humanitarian needs.

Extreme weather events this year are more significant and increasingly pushing vulnerable people deep into crisis. Floods, as well as severe droughts, have been recorded in several countries around the globe2 . Many regions affected by severe weather conditions have already been struggling with high levels of food insecurity, malnutrition, instability, and violence. In addition, floods have reduced access to hygiene and sanitation and increased the incidence of waterborne diseases. In 2022, flooding affected 1.4 million people in 15 West and Central African countries.

Protection crisis The region is undergoing a protection crisis. Women and girls are at heightened risk of sexual and gender-based violence. Yet adequate resources to protect girls and young women are limited. Insecurity and conflict continue to affect household incomes and disrupt access to protection, education, health, food, and WASH services.
The education crisis is extreme. Over 12,400 schools are closed or not operating because of violence, jeopardizing children’s future but especially the future of girls, as they are most likely to be removed from school all together, married off or engage in negative coping mechanisms. Girls are the least likely to return to school after prolonged interruptions.

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