May 31, 2024, the UNHCR got a huge fund of $181M earmarked by UNHCR for Nigeria and other parts of West and Central Africa who’ve been forced to flee their homes.
This money will help provide shelter, food, and other essential support to refugees, asylum-seekers, and people displaced within their own countries. It’s a crucial lifeline for those in need, and a testament to the UNHCR’s vital work in the region.
The UNHCR’s involvement underscores the focus on refugee support and internal displacement, striving to enhance living conditions and offer respite from the crises plaguing the region. This financial commitment represents a beacon of hope for those in dire need, fostering a sense of security, dignity, and renewed prospects for a better future.
The magnitude of this funding speaks to the urgency of the situation in Nigeria, where countless individuals and families are struggling to survive amidst violence, displacement, and uncertainty. The UNHCR’s efforts, backed by this substantial funding, will help to address the most pressing needs of refugees and internally displaced persons, including safety, nutrition, healthcare, and education. By providing a comprehensive response to this humanitarian crisis, the UNHCR aims to restore dignity, hope, and a sense of normalcy to those whose lives have been disrupted by conflict and displacement.
Region Reports and Step forward
The West and Central Africa region is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with widespread political instability, armed conflict, and displacement affecting millions of people. The situation is characterized by ongoing conflicts, both new and protracted, which are driving forced displacement, with 13.4 million people forcibly displaced in the region as of January 2024. This includes 2.3 million refugees and asylum-seekers, as well as 7.9 million internally displaced persons.
The majority of refugees in the region come from seven countries: Sudan, the Central African Republic, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Cameroon, and Chad, accounting for 96% of the total refugee population. Sudan alone accounts for 42% of the overall refugee population, followed by the Central African Republic at 21%.
The humanitarian needs in the region are compounded by growing competition for scarce resources, exacerbated by the effects of climate change and poverty. The situation has seen a significant increase in refugee and asylum-seeker populations, with a 41% rise in 2024 compared to the previous year, largely attributed to the conflict in Sudan.
Resettlement is a critical protection tool for those displaced, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as women, girls, and survivors of violence. In Nigeria, for instance, 1,200 refugees are projected to need resettlement in 2025, primarily from the Cameroonian refugee population displaced by the ongoing secessionist conflict in Northwest/Southwest Cameroon.
The UNHCR emphasizes the importance of continued funding for resettlement programs, which are essential for protection and lifesaving efforts. The organization stresses that funding should keep coming in to support these critical programs, which are being integrated into the protection strategies of UNHCR operations across the region.
On the whole, the situation in West and Central Africa is complex and dire, with millions of people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. The international community must continue to support efforts to address the growing displacement and protection needs in the region.
Budget briefÂ
As stated by the 2024 UNHCR West and Central Africa Funding Update, a bunch of generous donors – including the United States, the European Union, Britain, and 19 others – pitched in a total of $181,646,993 by May 2024. The US was the biggest contributor. This amount covers about 16% of the UNHCR’s total budget needs for 2024, which is a whopping $1.115 billion! The funds will go towards supporting the UNHCR’s work in several countries, including Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria.
Summary
The UNHCR is like a guardian angel for people who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, fear, or persecution. They provide a lifeline to safety, hope, and a chance to rebuild their lives.