The Sahel Crisis
Publisher: Food and Agriculture Organization
Date: 2014
Topics: Humanitarian Assistance, Livelihoods, Peace and Security Operations, Renewable Resources
Countries: Chad, Gambia, Niger
Despite good and average harvests in 2012 and 2013, persistent high levels of food and nutrition insecurity reflect the chronic challenges faced by vulnerable populations in the Sahel region. In 2013/2014, the cereal production in the Sahel (excluding Nigeria) is equivalent to the five years average but decrease by 12 percent when compared to last year’s campaign. The rapid population growth coupled with the average agricultural production resulted in a 14 percent decrease of per capita cereal production. Production declines were recorded in several zones, especially in Chad, Mali, the Niger, and Senegal. While food availability slightly improved in 2013, food accessibility is still a major concern for millions of households: millet and sorghum prices remain high in Eastern Sahel markets (Eastern Burkina Faso, Chad, the Niger and Nigeria) compared to their five-year average and the livelihoods of the most vulnerable households are under stress due to low production, limited income and insufficient support during the past food and livelihoods crisis (2005, 2008, 2010 and 2012).