More aid urgently needed for stricken population in the Sahel region

The international donor community is being asked to provide more financial aid to help people affected by violence in the stricken Sahel region of Africa.

The call comes from Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Sahel, Toby Lanzer, at the end of a visit to the Lake Chad Basin.

He said that chronic food insecurity, malnutrition, climate change and violent extremists such as the Boko Haram group, were combining to create desperate conditions for many civilians.

Deputy-Spokesperson Farhan Haq outlined the numbers involved.

"In the Lake Chad Basin, where 20 million people live, 9.2 million are in need of humanitarian aid, 5.2 million are severely food insecure and in need of emergency food assistance and 2.7 million have been forced from their homes. Those hosting the displaced are sharing their already very limited resources."

SOURCE: Matthew Wells, United Nations.