Food Crisis in the Sahel

Five steps to break the hunger cycle in 2012

Publication date: 10 April 2012
Author: Stephen Cockburn, Campaigns and policy manager, Oxfam GB in West Africa

The first warnings of drought and poor harvests in Africa’s Sahel region emerged in late 2011, and vulnerable communities in many areas have been threatened by a looming food crisis. That crisis is now a reality, with 18.4 million people in nine countries vulnerable to its impact. Food stocks have already run out for some communities and are running dangerously low for others. Support to protect lives and livelihoods is urgently needed before the crisis becomes an emergency.

Oxfam, ROPPA, RBM, APESS, POSCAO and WiLDAF are calling on donors, national governments, regional organizations, NGOs and UN agencies to fund support, target and coordinate effective assistance to the most vulnerable people, support regional markets, and invest in long-term resilience the break the hunger cycle.

This paper was first published in April 2012 and updated in May 2012.

Related links:

Sahel markets under pressure

A Dangerous Delay: The cost of late response to early warnings in the 2011 drought in the Horn of Africa

Sahel Food Crisis: Oxfam's humanitarian response

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