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UN Raises $1.7 Billion for Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso

Margaret Besheer

   NEW YORK - The United Nations said Tuesday it has received preliminary
   pledges of about $1.7 billion for the central Sahel countries of
   Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger at a donors' conference in Copenhagen. '¯

   "This represents substantial success," U.N. Humanitarian Chief Mark
   Lowcock told reporters. "Not least given the context we are working in,
   with so many crises around the world and COVID."'¯

   Overall, the U.N. needs $1.4 billion for the strife-plagued region this
   year. About $550 million has been received so far'¯-- just under 40% of
   what is needed.'¯A further $1.56 billion is projected to meet 2021
   humanitarian needs.'¯

   Lowcock said a full total would come at the end of the day, but that he
   anticipates about $980 million in pledges for this year and about $700
   million for 2021-2022, which is critical to humanitarian planning.'¯

   The U.N. has warned that Africa's Sahel is facing a confluence of
   factors that are pushing the region deeper into poverty, hunger and the
   hands of extremists, and if the international community does not invest
   attention and money to stop it now, could see the consequences spread
   beyond the region in the coming years.

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