Addressing Housing, Land, and Property Challenges in Central Sahel

In Central Sahel, 2024 data showed significant HLP issues, with many community protection incidents linked to property rights violations. Displacement has led to heightened shelter needs and exacerbated tensions between displaced and host communities. Addressing land rights and management is fundamental to effective assistance and requires collaboration between humanitarian, development, and peace sectors.

In 2024, two-fifths of protection incidents reported by communities in the Central Sahel region highlighted violations of property rights, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Western Niger. Concurrently, the same percentage of respondents identified housing, land, and property (HLP) issues as catalysts for intercommunity tensions. These issues often manifest as extortion, theft, looting, destruction, and the seizure of personal property, significantly endangering civilians and triggering forced displacement among families.

Data indicates that forcibly displaced individuals experience shelter needs twice as high as those of host communities in 2024. Half of both displaced and host communities prioritized construction or rehabilitation as their main housing requirement, emphasizing the structural nature of HLP challenges in the Central Sahel. The influx of displaced persons exacerbates existing issues related to land tenure and increases the likelihood of forced evictions in regions governed by competing land norms.

The escalation of forced displacement further strains access to resources, services, and employment opportunities in semi-urban reception areas, while reinforcing longstanding HLP concerns. At this critical junction of land rights, immediate needs, and infrastructure deficits, effective land management becomes imperative for delivering meaningful assistance, such as installing shelters or supporting agricultural activities, which hinge on secure land access.

In terms of access modalities, donations remain the predominant means by which communities acquire land in the Central Sahel, accounting for 65% of all cases. Additionally, surveyed communities recognized HLP as a significant motivator for the voluntary return and integration of displaced persons into local or host communities. Enhancing cooperation between humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding practitioners is essential for addressing the multifaceted HLP issues and promoting sustainable solutions in the region.

In summary, HLP issues play a pivotal role in driving displacement and perpetuating violence in the Central Sahel, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies that address the intersections of land rights, emergency needs, and infrastructure deficits. The importance of secure land access as a precursor for effective assistance cannot be overstated. A coordinated approach among stakeholders is crucial to fostering durable solutions and mitigating the adverse effects of forced displacement.

Original Source: reliefweb.int