MALI NIGER

NIGERIA

MAURITANIA

GHANA

GUINEA

CÔTED'IVOIRE

SENEGAL

BENIN

BURKINA FASO

LIBERIA

TOG

OSIERRALEONE

GUINEA-BISSAU

GAMBIA

MOROCCO

ALGERIA LIBYAN ARABJAMAHIRIYA

CAMEROON

GABONCONGO

EQUATORIALGUINEA

SAO TOME

CHAD

Niger

Benue

Senegal

LakeVolta

LakeChad

A T L A N T I CO C E A N

S A H E L I A N S A V A N N A

Source: West Africa FSNWG1Benin 11/2008, Burkina Faso 6/2008, Côte d’Ivoire 10/2006, Gambia 2/2006, Ghana 11/2008, Guinea 1/2008, Guinea-Bissau 11/2008, Liberia 2/2007, Mali 8/2006, Mauritania 6/2009, Niger 6/2009, Nigeria 9/2008, Sierra Leone 05/2008, Togo 6/2009. Data not available for Senegal or Sierra Leone

>15%

Global Acute Malnutrition Rateamong children under �ve yearsold as percentage of population

CriticalSeriousPoorAcceptable<5%

Food Security and Nutrition

J F M A M J J A S O N D

US$ 0.2per kg

0.4

0.6

Retail prices of Millet in Niamey, Niger2000-2009

‘08

‘05

‘06

‘09

Source: FAO (Data for 2007 incomplete)3

2000

-20

0420

05 -

2009

An estimated 4.5 million children under �ve years old in West Africa (9.9% of the child population) are a�ected by global acute malnutrition1250,000 children in the Sahel die every year from malnutrition2

In 2009, irregular and below-average rains in parts of eastern Niger and northeastern Nigeria have shortened the growing season, translating into an accrued threat to food insecurity and malnutrition. In Nigeria, 38% of children already su�er from chronic malnutrition.5 Lack of access to a balanced food basket leads to malnutrition.6

Semi-subsistence agriculture accounts for 90% of the annual food needs in West Africa. Increased food costs combined with higher input costs such as fuel, fertilizer and labour, have led to a burdensome level of expenses for the poor population and reduced access to basic services while threatening prevailing food insecurity.4

GHANA

SENEGAL

NIGERIAGUINEA

BURKINAFASO

NIGER

BENIN

TOGO

‘01 ‘03 ‘07 ‘09

763

330

910

290480

A�ected population per yearin thousands

675,000

20,0000

100,000

A�ected populationper country

2001- Guinea2007- Ghana & Burkina Faso2009- Benin & Burkina Faso

UNDAC deployments

Sources: CRED (2000-2008)8UNOCHA (2009)9

Flooding (2000-2009)

More than 3.2 million people a�ected by �oods since 2000

The annual rainy season, which occurs between July and September, further weakens populations already su�ering from poverty. Flooding causes damage to crops, increases the risk of disease outbreaks and deepens food insecurity. Problems linked to rapid and uncontrolled urbanization expose buildings to the impact of heavy rainfall.4,10

Source: WHO7

The health of the population in the region remains well below minimum standards. Lack of access to safe water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene increase the risk of epidemic outbreaks. Health systems are weak, and populations outside of urban centres have limited access.4

Cholera

Measles

Lassa Fever

Meningitis

2,089 cases21 deaths

72,952 cases3,458 deaths

59,889 cases371 deaths

128 cases12 deaths

>80%

<10%

% total cases

Health (Jan - Jun 2009)

Consolidated Appeal

The requirements for West Africa rose dramatically from 2003 to 2007, and funding continues to fall well below the requirements. For 2009, the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector is only funded at 9% and the Health sector at 30% of requirements, hampering the ability of humanitarian actors to cover these critical needs.4

2003

US$500M

250

2009

Requirements per year 2003-2009

80%funded

30%31%67%45%

9%1%

32%0%

US$10MFood

HealthMulti-Sector

AgricultureCoordination and Support Services

Water and SanitationProtection/Human Rights/Rule of Law

Not yet speci�ed

Economic Recoveryand Infrastructure

Requirements per sector 2009

Funded Unfunded

4% funded(1.16B)

Burkina Faso FloodsFlash Appeal in 2009 for US$18M

57% funded(226M)

Full Requirements in 2009: US$399M

Source: OCHA FTS13

Source: UNPD11

1950 20502010

137 millionin urban areas

419 million

170 millionin rural area

197 million

Growth and Urbanization

The economic growth rate has lagged behind the rate of population growth, with most demographic growth occuring in urban areas. Urban problems such as lack of sewage systems and uncontrolled construction exacerbate the risk of destruction and disease during �ooding.12

Urban and rural population1950 - 2050

The population in 2010 is expected to reach 307 million, and grow 100% between 2010 and 2050, as compared to a global growth rate close to 38%.

West Africa: Humanitarian Profile (as of October 2009)

Created by ReliefWeb on 30 Oct 2009Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - United Nationswww.reliefweb.int – maps@reliefweb.int

Source: UNDP28

POPULATIONClose to 50% of the population in West Africa live o� less than US$1.25 per day, and the life expectancy at birth is 54 years.

Zimbabwe 43 82 Japan

47 years in Sierra LeoneLife expectancy(2007)

83% in LiberiaWest Africancountries

Costa Rica 2.4 88.5 Tanzania

Living on lessthan US$1.25/day(2000-2007)

DEVELOPMENT11 out of the 24 of the countries with a low Human Development Index (HDI) are in the West Africa region, and among them Niger has the lowest HDI in the world.

Source: UNDP28

Very highHighMediumLowNo data

HDI (2009)

Source: WHO29

with access without

World78%

World87%

65%West Africa

47%Nigeria

42%Niger

Access to improved water sources (2006)

25%

11%

West Africa

Sierra Leone

7%Niger

WCWCWCWCWCWC WC WC WCWC

WCWCWCWCWCWC WC WC WCWC

WCWCWCWCWCWC WC WC WCWC

Access to improved sanitation facilities (2006)

WATER AND SANITATION

Close to 100 million people in West Africa were a�ected by the 2004 locust crisis2 and 3.6 million in Niger were a�ected by the food crisis in 2005.25

MAURITANIA Terrorism has become a threat to peace and stability.26 The country is currently at risk of a locust invasion, which could worsen food security.27

NIGER One of the poorest countries in the world, food security remains a permanent challenge, especially in the north where security concerns have limited the access to vulnerable populations until recently.23 The country’s political situation is currently a�ected by the aftermath of a referendum which extended the presidential term in o�ce. Since October 20, Niger has been suspended from ECOWAS membership in the wake of its decision to hold legislative elections in spite of pressure from the international community calling for dialogue and rescheduling of the legislative elections.24

GUINEA-BISSAU One of two Portuguese-speaking countries in the region, this fragile country is concerned by activites of Senegal’s Movement for the Democratic Forces of Casamance rebellion. President Malam Bacai Sanhá was peacefully elected in July 2009, and rules over a country that has been entangled in a spiral of instability and violence.22 The state is further weakened by growing narcotics tra�cking.21

At least US$ 1 billion worth of cocaine continues to be tra�cked through the region.17 In Guinea-Bissau, it is estimated that the value of drug tra�cking is probably greater than the annual GDP. The country is currently used as a transshipment point in West Africa for South American narcotics destined for European markets.21

CAPE VERDE West Africa’s “forgotten” success story, this island nation has already achieved 4 MDGs.2 One of two Portuguese-speaking countries in the region has enjoyed years of political stability and good governance, hence earning second rank in the 2009 Ibrahim index of Governance.20

Presidential Elections (2008 - 2012)

Source: UNOCHA9

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Mau

ritan

ia

Gui

nea

Sier

ra L

eone

Sene

gal

Mal

i

Nig

er

Côte

d'Iv

oire

Burk

ina

Faso

Libe

riaN

iger

iaBe

nin

Gam

bia

Cape

Ver

de

Gha

na

Togo

Gui

nea-

Biss

au

UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL)17,500 military personnelDuration: 22 Oct 1999 - 31 Dec 2005

UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)11,516 uniformed personnelDuration: Sep 2003 - present

UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI)8,385 uniformed personnelDuration: Apr 2004 - present

United Nations Peacekeeping Missions(1999-present)

Source: UN DPKO19

CÔTE D’IVOIRE After 39 years of stability, the past decade has been marked by political turmoil culminating on a failed coup d’état and the emergence of a rebel movement. Hundreds of thousands of people were displaced during the 2006-2007 inter-community clashes.18 Côte d’Ivoire’s immediate stability is dependent on elections slated for 29 November.9

Since 1960, West Africa has experienced 58 coups d’état and attempted coups d’état.17

GUINEA On 28 September, a crackdown on an opposition rally left at least 150 people dead and 1,000 injured,15 and resulted in the unanimous condemnation of the military junta led by Moussa Dadis Camara who took power in December 2008. The international community has called for the junta to step down, while the ICC has begun a preliminary examination of the human rights violations.16 A deterioration of the situation could a�ect the entire region, starting with Guinea’s six immediate neighbors, four of which (Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau and Côte d’Ivoire) are still recovering from violent internal con�icts.9

Over 140 million people live in Nigeria, making it the largest population in Africa. The population is expected to grow more than 130% between 2000 and 2050.11

Nigeria’spopulationin 20502000

NIGERIA West Africa’s leading oil producer is regularly confronted with ethnic/religious clashes. In the north, the enforcement of radical Islamic law in 12 states leads to a limited access for critical programs such as nutrition and immunizations.14

40% of all women and girls of Liberia were abused during the civil war and tens of thousands of demobilized youth combatants are still lacking basic economic opportunities in Liberia and Guinea.2

West Africa Responding to humanitarian emergencies in West Africa is becoming more and more complex due to a deteriorated human security environment. Chronic poverty, rising socio-political instabilities, threats to the Rule of Law and enforcement of right-based approaches to prevent privileged and/or violent access to resources are contributing factors. While the end of violence in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau and Côte d’Ivoire was a critical step forward, traditional humanitarian challenges remain, and are compounded by the emergence of sudden onset crises or encroaching and long-lasting phenomena such as climate change. At the core of it all, West Africa is one of the poorest regions in the world where most Millenium Development Goals are unlikely to be met by 2015.2

West Africa: Regional Highlights (as of October 2009)

Base map sources:ESRI, UN Cartographic Section, UN OCHA, USGS.Narrative and statistical references:1West Africa FSNWG. GAM database. 13 Oct 2009.2UNOCHA. The Role of OCHA in West Africa, Discussion Paper for SMT. Unpublished.3FAO. National basic food prices - data and analysis tool. Assessed 9 Oct 2009. 4UNOCHA. Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP): Mid-Year Review of the Appeal 2009 for West Africa. 13 Jul 2009.5IRIN. Niger-Nigeria: Low rains, high risks. 22 Oct 2009.6WFP. Hunger: What is Malnutrition? www.wfp.org. Assessed 22 Oct 2009.7WHO. Situation Epidemiologique des Maladies à Potentiel Epidemique en Afrique de l’Ouest. 20 Jun 2009.8CRED. EM-DAT International Disaster Database. Assessed 28 Sep 2009. 9UNOCHA. Regional Office for West Africa raw data.10UN News. West Africa: deadly floods could trigger disease outbreaks, UN agency warns. 15 Sep 2009.11UN Population Division. World Urbanization Prospects: The 2007 Revision Population Database. Assessed 19 Oct 2009. 12UNOCHA. Afrique de l’Ouest Inondations 2009. 3 Sep 2009.13UNOCHA. Financial Tracking Service (FTS). Assessed 30 Oct 2009. 14IRIN. Nigeria: Polio vaccine back in the headlines. 7 Oct 2007.15IRIN. Guinea: Timeline since independence. 6 Oct 2009. 16ICC. ICC Prosecutor confirms situation in Guinea under examination. 14 Oct 2009.17UNODC. Transnational Trafficking and the Rule of Law in West Africa. Jul 2009. 18UNOCHA. Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP): Mid-Year Review of the Côte d’Ivoire 2009 Critical Humanitarian Needs. 13 Jul 2009.19UNDPKO. United Nations Peacekeeping. http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/dpko/. Assessed 21 Oct 2009. 20Mo Ibrahim Foundation. The Ibrahim Index Scores and Rankings. 19 Oct 2009. 21UN Peacebuilding Commission. Background Paper on Drug Trafficking in Guinea-Bissau. 28 May 2008. 22UNDPI. Window of Opportunity Exists to Consolidate Peace in Guinea-Bissau. 23 Sep 2009.23FEWS. Niger: Food Security Update. Jul-Dec 2009. 24ECOWAS. ECOWAS suspends Niger from membership of organization. 21 Oct 2009.25UNOCHA. Consolidated Appeals Process: Niger Revision. 8 Aug 2005.26Jeune Afrique. Terrorisme: le maillon faible mauritanien. 29 Aug 2009.27FAO. Locust infestation in Mauritania. 26 Oct 2009.28UNDP. Human Development Reports Database. Accessed 13 Oct 2009.29WHO. WHO Statistical Information System Database. Assessed 13 Oct 2009.Disclaimers: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on all maps do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. The data and information represented originates from public sources as indicated. ReliefWeb makes every effort to use the latest available data and to ensure that its products are accurate, complete and timely, but no warranties are made to this effect. Comments are welcome to maps@reliefweb.int.

Poverty and development