Charles Bernimolin, Head of the Regional Office for West and Central Africa at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, writes that nearly 29 million individuals across the Sahel require humanitarian assistance and protection. Each statistic in the Humanitarian Needs and Response Overview represents a person—a mother, child, or elder—struggling to survive. In 2025, efforts are directed toward aiding 18 million of the most vulnerable, necessitating US$4.3 billion in funding. However, escalating insecurity, restricted access, and severe financial constraints compel humanitarian actors to make difficult decisions regarding aid distribution. As of 2025, only 8 percent of the required funds have been secured, significantly limiting the ability to address the increasing humanitarian needs in the region.