UNICEF Chief Urges Global Action as Sahel Crisis Imperils Millions of Children

As the humanitarian crisis deepens across the Central Sahel region, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell has made an urgent plea for international support following her visit to Burkina Faso. Russell's three-day mission brought global attention to the plight of children trapped in an escalating emergency driven by insecurity, displacement, and climate shocks — a triple threat that is robbing an entire generation of safety, health, and opportunity.

Children Caught in a Crisis of Unprecedented Scale

The Central Sahel — encompassing Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger — is one of the most volatile and underfunded regions in the world today. Over 2.9 million people have been displaced by violence and instability, and nearly half of them are children. According to UNICEF, the expanding conflict has increasingly targeted vital infrastructure, including schools, health centers, and water systems, placing children at direct risk of malnutrition, disease, exploitation, and forced recruitment into armed groups.

“The Sahel is one of the toughest places to be a child today, yet it’s getting the least of the world’s attention,” Russell said. “It should be a wake-up call to everyone that when crises are neglected, they fester. As always, children have the most to lose.”

Climate Disasters Compound the Crisis

In addition to the violence, the Sahel region is grappling with extreme climate variability — swinging from prolonged droughts to sudden floods, both of which fuel food insecurity and economic hardship. These climate shocks have disrupted agriculture, pushed up food prices, and worsened already fragile living conditions.

The number of children under five suffering from acute malnutrition in the Central Sahel has more than doubled, from 2.2 million in 2015 to a staggering 6 million by 2023. Over 2.5 million children now face the threat of wasting, the most deadly form of malnutrition.

Education Under Attack

Children’s right to education has also been severely compromised. Over 8,000 schools across the region have been closed due to insecurity or targeted attacks, depriving millions of children of a future. For many, school is not just a place of learning but also a safe haven that provides food, support services, and protection.

Hope Amidst Hardship

Despite the grim outlook, Russell's visit showcased examples of resilience and effective intervention. In the rural town of Kokologho, she toured a UNICEF-supported initiative that integrates nutrition, clean water, sanitation, and community health outreach. These programs are vital lifelines for children in remote or insecure areas.

In the eastern town of Fada, Russell met with internally displaced families, many of whom have fled unspeakable violence. One woman, Mariam, recounted how she was forced to flee with her seven children after armed men murdered her husband in front of the family.

“Despite the suffering and challenges children and families like Mariam’s face, I was grateful to see how people are doing their very best with what little they have to help each other,” Russell said. “But they cannot do it alone, and needs are quickly outpacing funds.”

Political Engagement and Government Support

Russell met with Burkina Faso's Prime Minister and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Health, and Education. She acknowledged and encouraged their continued investment in the protection, health, and education of children — a critical partnership as national systems face overwhelming demand.

UNICEF and its partners continue to support governments in the Sahel to reopen schools, provide life-saving nutrition, immunization, safe drinking water, and essential social protections.

Funding Crisis Threatens Progress

Despite significant needs, UNICEF’s humanitarian appeal for Central Sahel children — totaling US$ 489.7 million — is less than 7% funded as of June 2025. This comes at a time when the agency anticipates a devastating 35% reduction in funding for West and Central Africa due to sharp global aid cuts.

Russell emphasized the urgency of the moment: “This crisis cannot be solved by communities alone. It is a global responsibility, and the time to act is now.”

With millions of lives hanging in the balance, UNICEF’s call for solidarity and urgent funding is not just a humanitarian necessity — it is a moral imperative.