The Forgotten Front: Displacement, Climate, and Conflict in the Sahel

The Sahel has become one of the world’s most overlooked frontlines, where conflict, climate shocks, and fragile governance intersect to drive a rapidly expanding displacement crisis. Despite the scale of need, humanitarian support remains chronically underfunded, limiting access to education, health services, and basic protection for millions. Yet the region is not defined solely by vulnerability: ECO-WAS’s new labour-migration strategy, local peace accords, and emerging community-led initiatives show that agency and adaptation are already taking shape. This Policy Outlook situates these developments within a broader political economy of neglect and calls for a coordinated Regional Resilience & Reintegration Compact to transform scattered efforts into a sustainable, region-wide response.