(Gemini Audio)
(sahara-sahel.org) – Armed conflict, climate change, and food insecurity have displaced nearly four million people across Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, with women and children comprising 80% of those affected. The collapse of essential services and insufficient humanitarian funding deepen the crisis, prompting urgent calls for global solidarity. Water scarcity and climate shocks threaten livelihoods in the Sahel, where most jobs depend on rainfall. Regional cooperation and initiatives like the Defying Drought Impact Program are helping countries scale up proven drought-resilience strategies, including irrigation, early warning systems, and water storage. Another example is the the ARFSA Programme, whereas local organizations in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Senegal are restoring degraded land using Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration and agro-ecological methods. These grassroots efforts enhance biodiversity, food security, and social cohesion while building climate resilience across vulnerable landscapes. Rainfall forecasts for the Sahel show generally favorable conditions, with above-average precipitation expected in several regions, though localized flooding remains a risk. Meanwhile, locust breeding may intensify in Mauritania, Mali, Niger, and Chad, requiring close monitoring.