The United Nations quoted today senior United Nations officials as warning that armed attacks and insecurity in the West African Sahel countries have reached unprecedented levels, and also called for increased humanitarian aid to millions of people affected by the spread of violence. In a briefing to the UN States Members, humanitarian coordinators in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger warned that as violence continued and risk was extended to West African coastal countries, humanitarian needs exceeded the amount of resources available. The UN coordinator in Niger, Bintou Djibo emphasized the need for moving expeditiously noting that the efforts of sustainable relief, economic and social development of the region are essential in view of the situation in the Sahel. UN officials mentioned that the figures of United Nations agencies indicate that 5.1 million people in Burkina Faso, Mali and West Niger need humanitarian assistance during 2019. Relief organizations have asked the international community to provide $ 600 million to help 3.7 million people among the most affected, but four months after the start of 2019, the average funding was only 19%.
