Food and Nutrition Crises in the Sahel and Lake Chad region

For the third consecutive year, the countries of the Sahel and West Africa are facing a food and nutrition crisis of exceptional proportions. Hunger and malnutrition could affect more than 38 million people by June if appropriate measures are not taken. The border areas of the central Sahel and Lake Chad are by far the most affected this year is a result of long term negative drivers (including climate change, demographic pressure and deeply rooted insecurity) interacting with recent socio-economic shocks and extreme weather events:. The dire food security situation is getting worst  with the  severe drought affecting the Sahel, Covid-19 and the Russian aggression war in Ukraine.

The event is co-organised by the OECD’s Sahel and West Africa Club, the European Union and the Global Network Against Food Crises. The aim of the event is to coordinate the international response to the current emergency and prevent new ones by building resilient food systems.

Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, alongside Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarĉiĉ, will address the event. High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, Josep Borrell, will also participate in the event with a video message. President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger, Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for European and Foreign Affairs of France and David Beasley, Executive Director of the World Food Programme, are also expected to participate.

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