ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that at least 7.5 million children across the Central Sahel region of Africa urgently require humanitarian assistance “an emergency that remains too far from the attention of the international community.”
UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Ted Chaiban, raised the alarm in a statement after a visit to Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali.
“After a 14-day visit to the Central Sahel, I have witnessed firsthand a region rich in possibilities, yet continuously affected by insecurity, climate shocks, and socio-economic crises.
Recent reports of violence in Mali “are another example of the stark reminder that such crises in the region create a fragile situation for children, including, sadly the loss of their lives,” he added.
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Rebel groups in Mali recently launched coordinated attacks, which drew condemnation from the UN Secretary-General, while UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher stressed that “responding to humanitarian needs, protecting civilians and ensuring access to basic services is paramount.”
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Chaiban noted that although more than 3.6 million people across the Central Sahel have been displaced due to violence and forced migration, there are still signs of resilience among government officials, community leaders, and displaced persons.
“In many rural areas, markets are reopening, while communities continue to support each other, just as children are playing, with families and young people yearning to regain their dignity and economic independence,” he said.
During his visit, Chaiban met political leaders in the three countries, who agreed that investing in people and strengthening social cohesion are vital for stability and development.
“Everywhere, a clear ambition is emerging: to make the next generation a priority at the heart of national policies.
“I was encouraged by the strong commitment of the three governments to advance and safeguard the rights of every child,” he said.
He highlighted progress in Niger, where reforms have modernised civil registration in over half of municipalities.
“As a result, birth registration rates rose to 79 per cent last year, up from 62 per cent in 2023.”
In Burkina Faso, authorities have committed about 25 per cent of the national budget to education and nearly 12 per cent to health, “illustrating a significant effort to scale up essential social services.”
Similarly, Mali recorded national immunisation coverage of 82 per cent in 2024, bringing the country closer to ensuring all children receive life-saving vaccines.
“These policies and commitments are not only good examples.
“More importantly, they take on their full meaning when we witness the positive transformation of the daily lives of children, allowing them to keep moving forward despite the hardships they face,” he said.
Despite these gains, Chaiban warned that “the cycle of violence is still dangerously evident, and the situation of children is particularly alarming.”
He noted that the UN has documented more than 1,500 grave violations against children, including killing, abduction, and recruitment by armed groups, while over 8,400 schools were inaccessible in 2025 alone.
Chaiban explained that limited access to education and basic services exposes children to illness and psychological distress, reducing their chances of healthy development.
“Everyone I met during my visit shared the same concern: providing better protection for children and families, restoring peace, enabling access to healthcare and education, and guaranteeing a safe return home,” he said.
He also praised UNICEF teams working in the region for their dedication to protecting children’s rights and supporting governments in key sectors such as health, water, education, and protection.
“I have seen that our response is most effective when it reinforces resilience by strengthening local systems, empowering communities, and fostering inclusive governance, whilst always ensuring that children’s voices are heard and taken into account,” he said.
Chaiban concluded by urging the international community to act swiftly and not overlook the situation of children in the Sahel.
“Faced with the resilience of children in the Sahel, the world must not turn a blind eye; there are still millions of children with urgent humanitarian needs that require immediate action,” he said.
“Their resilience does not mean that they are fine nor must it be used as an excuse for inaction.”
(NAN)