The article addresses the significant housing, land, and property (HLP) issues faced in the Central Sahel, exacerbated by conflict and forced displacement. In 2024, violations of property rights were prevalent, with displaced individuals expressing heightened shelter needs. The challenges of tenure insecurity and access to resources necessitate a cooperative approach among humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts to resolve HLP issues.
In the Central Sahel, housing, land, and property (HLP) issues are significantly exacerbated by conflict and forced displacement. In 2024, two-fifths of reported protection incidents involved violations of property rights, while intercommunity tensions were often attributed to HLP issues. These challenges manifest through theft, extortion, and destruction of property, prompting civilians to flee their homes and worsening the conditions for displaced individuals. Notably, forcibly displaced persons reported shelter needs that were twice as high as those of their host communities.
The impact of forced displacement extends beyond immediate shelter needs—it disrupts service provision, resource access, and employment in semi-urban arrival areas. This results in heightened tenure insecurity and risks of forced evictions, particularly in regions governed by competing land regulations. Addressing HLP challenges is crucial for effective humanitarian assistance, as securing land access is essential before undertaking shelter or income-generating initiatives.
Despite these challenges, communities in the Central Sahel have relied primarily on donations (65%) to secure land access. Furthermore, many respondents indicated that HLP conditions positively influenced their willingness to return to or integrate with host communities. The intersection of land rights, emergency needs, and peacebuilding highlights the necessity for collaboration among humanitarian, development, and peace practitioners to enhance the outcomes for affected populations.
In summary, addressing housing, land, and property issues is essential for mitigating the effects of forced displacement in the Central Sahel. The data reflect a pressing need for secure land access and comprehensive support to both displaced persons and host communities. Enhanced cooperation among various actors is critical to ensure that these challenges are effectively addressed, promoting stability and integration in the region.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
