In response to the severe humanitarian crisis impacting Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, and Mali, Saudi Arabia has announced plans to host a high-level ministerial donor conference on October 26, 2024. The conference, supported by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), aims to mobilize resources and coordinate efforts to provide critical aid to millions of people in the Sahel and Lake Chad region. The United Nations estimates that nearly 33 million people across the region require humanitarian assistance and protection, including around 11 million internally displaced persons and refugees. The conference will be co-hosted by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) and the OIC, in cooperation with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The Sahel and Lake Chad region has faced a multifaceted crisis for over a decade, with ongoing social and economic instability exacerbated by the drying up of Lake Chad. The conference will focus on raising resources for humanitarian and development initiatives, with an emphasis on UN-coordinated humanitarian response plans (HRPs), and building strong partnerships to promote effective long-term solutions. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of KSrelief, highlighted the importance of the conference, stating: "This conference is a critical step towards mobilizing the necessary resources and forging partnerships to address the pressing humanitarian needs in these areas. Jointly, we can bring hope and relief to millions." OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha called on member states and international partners to extend the necessary financial resources to help improve conditions in the troubled regions, emphasizing the conference's role in implementing the OIC's Resolution by the Council of Foreign Ministers. Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya emphasized the conference as a crucial opportunity for the international community to mobilize support for the region's immediate humanitarian needs and its long-term potential. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi also highlighted the urgent need for support, stating, "We must spare no effort to assist forcibly displaced populations and the communities that host them." He expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia, the OIC, and other partners for their efforts to address the severe funding shortage plaguing the region. The conference will feature high-level discussions aimed at addressing the pressing needs of vulnerable communities in the Sahel and Lake Chad region, with a focus on sustainable and impactful solutions. — SG
