Humanitarian aid in the Sahel
The Red Cross is helping people in countries across the Sahel through poverty, hunger, drought and other impacts of climate change.
Last updated 3 December 2025
The Sahel is on the frontlines of the climate crisis
Rising temperatures, unpredictable rains, and more frequent droughts and floods are destroying livelihoods and forcing people to leave their homes. These climate shocks are making life harder - especially for women, children, and vulnerable communities - by deepening poverty, hunger, and inequality.
In 2024, over 32 million people across the Sahel were affected by overlapping crises: climate change, conflict, and insecurity.
In countries like Chad, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania, families who rely on farming and agriculture are losing their livelihoods. Many are forced to move, often with nothing, seeking safety in already fragile communities.
The crisis in Sudan has driven close to one million people into eastern Chad, placing additional pressure on already overstretched resources and services.
Despite these challenges, communities are showing resilience and innovation, but they urgently need more support.
Where is the Sahel?
The Sahel is a region in Africa, stretching from East to West. Definitions of the Sahel and the countries it includes can vary between organisations. We refer to the Sahel as Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Mali, and Mauritania.
Climate change
Climate change in the Sahel is having a devastating impact. Droughts, floods and rising temperatures are harming land, water, agricultures and livestock. This is making it harder and harder for people to feed their families. Women, girls and people who have had to leave home are hit the hardest. Their education is disrupted, and they face health issues and violence.
The effects of climate change are reshaping lives across the Sahel. Communities are strong and resilient, but the need for help is urgent. With the right support they can adapt to climate shocks and build a future with more opportunities for everyone.
Migration and displacement
More and more, migration in the Sahel is driven by climate change as well as conflict.
In Chad, climate disasters – particularly floods – affect nearly 1.9 million people. Many have had to leave their homes in search of safer conditions. The conflict in Sudan has also led to nearly 1 million refugees crossing into Chad.
In Mauritania, migrants from other parts of Africa are arriving in search of safety or a route to Europe. Unfortunately, the rise in migration has led to an increase in deaths. Between January and June 2024 alone, over 5,000 people died in sea crossings.
Migrants have little to no access to resources and basic services and are highly vulnerable to climate shocks.
Food insecurity
Food insecurity in the Sahel is widespread and worsening. Unpredictable rainfall and dry spells are hurting crops and livestock. Millions of people need emergency food aid.
In some countries, like Mauritania, local food production only meets 30% of national needs. Malnutrition is a huge problem, and children are facing the worst of it. Food insecurity and malnutrition are made worse by conflict and climate shocks.
- Understand how the Africa food crisis is affecting people across Africa
How is the British Red Cross supporting communities in the Sahel?
The British Red Cross has been active in the Sahel since 2016. We work alongside Red Cross and Red Crescent movements in the region, supporting communities through various programmes.
We’ve worked on a number of projects in the past, including:
- Sahel Hunger Prevention Programme (2021-2025)
- Sahel Migration Programme (2021-2025)
- Sahel Cash Preparedness Programme (2021-2025)
Our current project is the Sahel Integrated Climate Resilience and Migration programme. This programme builds on previous efforts, combining humanitarian, resilience and development strategies.
This new approach addresses the region’s interconnected challenges, especially those made worse by climate change. It focusses on meeting immediate needs while helping local communities adapt to climate change and its effects in the long term.
Programme objectives:
- Support to refugees, migrants and returnees
Provide real-time information and services through Humanitarian Service Points (HSPs) along migration routes. These hubs offer essential humanitarian support such as cash, food, water, mental health support and health referrals, especially for vulnerable groups. - Strengthen local communities’ capacity
Help communities prepare for and respond to climate shocks through best practices and local early warning systems. Initiatives will support income generation, food security and climate resilience awareness. - Better cash transfer systems
Make cash transfers faster and more effective during crises. The programme will deliver cash support to people on the move. It will also set up plans that let us send cash before climate disasters happen.
- Improve monitoring and learning
Set up systems where communities can track and share progress on climate resilience. The data collected will help make sure responses are fair and guide policies at local, national and global levels.
Learn more about our vital work in the Sahel
Burkina Faso
The Red Cross is helping people in Burkina Faso through extreme weather and food insecurity.
Chad
The Red Cross is helping people in Chad deal with the impacts of climate change and conflict.
Mauritania
The Red Cross is helping people in Mauritania through malnutrition, displacement and climate disasters.