Islamic Relief - Emergencies And Appeals

West Africa Appeal

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IR Response

Sahel Working Group addresses chronic food crises
04 May 2012

13 million people are at risk of severe food shortages

Islamic Relief attended a meeting of the Sahel Working Group (SWG) this week. The group which brings a host of leading aid agencies, was formed to address the challenge of cyclical droughts and food crises in West Africa, focusing particularly on Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. Its remit is to tackle the extreme vulnerability and hunger suffered by so many communities in the region, as highlighted by the chronic food crises in 2005 and 2010 and now by a growing crisis in 2012.

This week’s meeting was attended by Care, Christian Aid, Action Aid, World Vision, International Medical Corps, Concern, Tear Fund, Action Against Hunger, Plan International and Oxfam. In parallel to the working group’s lobbying of the UN and European governments on the needs of Sahel, Islamic Relief has been pressing for action by member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The meeting was addressed by the Honorary Consul for Niger, who is planning a visit to the UK by the President of Niger in June and is arranging a meeting where the SWG can be thanked for its work. In a forthcoming meeting SWG members will brief the DFID Minister, Stephen O’Brien, on their work in the region and put forward ideas for how the UK Government can help boost the international response to the crisis.