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Food crisis in Sahel region of Africa

Last year, over 18 million people in the Sahel region of West Africa were affected by a severe food crisis caused by drought, a failure of several crops, and sharp rises in food prices. With the current conflict in Mali, more than 350,000 people have been forced to flee their homes, both in Mali and its neighbors in Sahel, adding more pressure on already vulnerable communities.

At the end of 2012, good rainfall and better harvests have provided some relief. But, this does not mean the crisis is over. Food prices remain high and many farmers were unable to take advantage of the better rains to plant their crops. Malnutrition rates for children remain above emergency levels in many parts of the region. Millions of people still require sustained support to recover from the crisis, to rebuild their assets and livelihoods, and to be able to support their families.

Oxfam is continuing its work supporting communities who continue to struggle with high food prices, as well as to help them rebuild and recover their livelihoods.

Pablo Tosco/Intermon Oxfam

Your action now will save lives

・Make a life-saving donation

・Share this information with your family and friends

・Organise a community fund-raising event to collect donations and to inform people about the situation in Sahel

(Examples of events : hunger banquet. For details of hunger banquets, please click here)

Sahel region in Africa : 18.4 million people in a serious hunger crisis

Drought cannot be prevented, but famine is avoidable; emergency humanitarian assistance by Oxfam

Drought, which is a natural phenomenon, cannot be prevented, but the famine can be avoided. Oxfam is starting emergency humanitarian assistance programmes to reach out to 1.2 million famine-stricken people, as governments and aid organisations engage in assistance operations.

Oxfam's emergency humanitarian aid

HOW WE ARE HELPING

■Water and Sanitation


Pablo Tosco/Intermon Oxfam

Oxfam is building and repairing wells to ensure safe and clean drinking water. We are also making efforts to reduce diseases through health education programmes for local communities. These actions save lives and protect them against disease, especially for children and people with weakened immune systems.

■Food


Fatoumata Diabate

Through the “cash for work” programme (an activity to quickly create employment), people can earn cash to purchase food and to repair storages to keep food. In some parts of the region, food distribution is also carried out. The photo above shows the “cash for work” programme in progress. They dig shallow holes on the ground to collect rain water.

■Agriculture and Livestock


Andy Hall

To protect livestock from drought, Oxfam is helping to feed and vaccinate animals. Livestock also benefit from improved drinking water through our efforts to build and restore wells. We distribute seeds to farmers where stores of grain have run out so they can plant now, preventing this crisis from extending into the next growing season.

■Advocacy/Campaign


Andy Hall

We continue to advocate in support of small farmers and to address the root causes of poverty and hunger. In a world where food is produced sufficiently for every one to eat, one in seven people is said to be suffering from starvation. We think this is caused by the 'broken food system'. Things like soaring food prices, climate change, exploitation, enviornmental degradation (especially farmland), and a variety of other complex and intertwined factors contribute to these issues. To further understand and take meaningful action, we issue policy recommendations to create a fairer and more sustainable food system. For more information, please visit the GROW campaign of Oxfam.

Sahel region in Africa : 18.4 million people in a serious hunger crisis

Why and What is happening?

This food crisis is caused by several factors, including:

Erratic rains








Meager harvetst








Diminished Pastures








Increased food prices








Lingering effects of 2010 food crisis





What is actually happening?

PLEASE CLICK HERE for the detailed infographic.