The spillover could be harmful for peace and stability in a region that has already experienced political instability, climate extremes, food and water insecurity, and economic decline, the agency warned.
Growing crisis
“We are increasingly concerned about a spillover from the security crisis in the Sahel to coastal countries – especially the Gulf of Guinea,” said WFP Executive Director, Cindy McCain after an extensive visit to Chad, Togo, and Benin.
In Chad, conflict, climate shock, and high food and fuel costs have pushed millions into severe hunger and malnutrition. Chad hosts the largest refugee population of any country in West and Central Africa, and is grappling with its own rising food insecurity.
The Executive Director traveled with the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, to the border with Sudan, where about 330,000 people – mostly women and children – have already crossed to escape the violence caused by the military showdown.
“The people I spoke to on the Chad-Sudan border told me absolutely heartbreaking stories of their dangerous journey, and of loved ones lost along the way,” said Ms. McCain.
“Many are injured and malnourished. This is the price innocent people pay for war; what these people are going through is unacceptable, and the world needs to step up and help them.”
Severe lack of funds
While Chad’s needs have increased, funding has not kept up. WFP plans to reach two million refugees and vulnerable Chadians with emergency aid but is struggling to reach even half of this goal due to lack of funding. According to WFP, $157 million is urgently needed to stabilize the deteriorating situation.
Visited by Ms. McCain is in Abeche, Chad to look at WFP’s resilience projects that help communities by laying the foundation for sustainable food systems and self-sufficiency.
“We are acting now and preventing Chad from becoming another victim of this crisis gripping the region or waiting and acting when it is too late,” he added.
WFP ‘ready and committed’
Amid rising violence in the Sahel, WFP is ready and committed to supporting national governments in emergency preparedness and response.
“This is a clear example of how WFP and national governments can work together to achieve human capital development and the overall well-being of future generations,” McCain said.
“Urgent action is needed if we don’t want to see the crisis spiral out of control.”