**Saudi Arabia to Host Donor Conference for Humanitarian Support in Sahel and Lake Chad Region**

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – In a significant response to the escalating humanitarian crisis impacting Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, and Mali, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced its intention to host a high-level ministerial donor conference on October 26, 2024, supported by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). This initiative aims to address the urgent needs of approximately 33 million individuals requiring humanitarian assistance across the Sahel and Lake Chad region, including nearly 11 million internally displaced persons and refugees.

The conference is being co-hosted by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) in collaboration with the OIC, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The primary objective of the conference is to mobilize essential resources and enhance coordination efforts to provide lifesaving assistance, ensure civilian protection, and promote recovery initiatives for those affected by the crisis.

The region has been grappling with a complex crisis for over a decade, marked by social and economic instability alongside the degradation of livelihoods. The alarming desiccation of Lake Chad, crucial for sustaining millions of lives, has further intensified the humanitarian situation, thereby necessitating immediate intervention.

This conference endeavors to gather resources for humanitarian and developmental projects aimed at supporting displaced individuals and refugees, placing a particular emphasis on UN-coordinated humanitarian response plans (HRPs). Additionally, it seeks to increase awareness regarding the multifaceted nature of the crisis and its viable solutions, while fostering robust partnerships that would enhance the effectiveness of the humanitarian response and support long-term resolutions.

His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of KSrelief, remarked, “We recognize the importance of supporting the people of the Sahel and Lake Chad regions. This conference represents a crucial step towards mobilizing the necessary resources and forming partnerships to address the pressing humanitarian needs in these areas. United, we can extend hope and relief to millions.”

Furthermore, OIC Secretary-General His Excellency Hissein Brahim Taha expressed his commitment to the humanitarian efforts by stating, “This Donors’ Conference is pivotal for rallying support for refugees and displaced persons in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions. I urge OIC donor Member States, donor institutions, and international partners to leverage this opportunity to provide essential financial resources to alleviate the conditions of vulnerable communities in these distressed areas.”

Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya emphasized the urgency of collaborative international efforts, declaring, “The Sahel and Lake Chad Basin are enduring an unprecedented crisis. This conference is an essential chance for the global community and affected nations to unite, increase resource mobilization, and extend support not only for immediate humanitarian needs but also to facilitate the region’s potential recovery.”

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi further outlined the ongoing challenges, stating, “The persistent conflict, instability, and violence compel millions to flee their homes across the Sahel and Lake Chad basin—a region that must confront the destabilizing effects of climate change and food insecurity. It is imperative that we extend our efforts to assist forcibly displaced individuals and the communities that provide refuge. We express our gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the OIC, and our partners for their commitment to mobilizing attention and the needed resources to address the severe funding shortage affecting the region.”

The conference will feature a high-level facilitated discussion addressing the urgent needs of vulnerable communities within the affected regions, reflecting a collaborative endeavor to restore hope and stability.

**About KSrelief**
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) was established under the guidance of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to underscore Saudi Arabia’s dedication to global humanitarian initiatives. Since its inauguration in May 2015, KSrelief has been active in over 100 countries, promoting fairness, objectivity, and collaboration with international organizations to deliver aid to those in crisis worldwide.

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