Addressing Housing, Land, and Property Issues in Central Sahel: Insights from 2024

In 2024, significant HLP issues were reported in the Central Sahel, correlating with forced displacement. A majority of communities hold urgent needs for shelter and rehabilitation, exacerbated by tenure insecurity. Effective land management is essential for meaningful assistance, with donations being the primary access method for land. Improved collaboration among sectors is necessary to address the multifaceted challenges posed by HLP issues.

In 2024, communities in the Central Sahel reported significant housing, land, and property (HLP) issues, with two-fifths of protection incidents linked to violations of property rights. Such violations often manifest as extortion, theft, and property destruction, leading to widespread forced displacement and subsequent deterioration of living conditions for affected families. Data indicates that the displaced population has an urgent need for shelter, demonstrating a demand that is double that of host communities.

Furthermore, approximately half of those surveyed from both displaced and host communities identified construction or rehabilitation as their primary housing requirement, highlighting the structural aspects of HLP concerns. The influx of forcibly displaced individuals exacerbates existing challenges, increasing tenure insecurity and the risk of forced evictions, particularly in regions where land regulations are conflicted by customary versus legal norms.

Effective land management is paramount for meaningful support. For instance, any initiatives aimed at providing shelter or promoting agricultural livelihoods must prioritize securing stable access to land. Despite these challenges, data reveals that 65% of surveyed communities rely on donations as the primary method for accessing land.

Moreover, communities recognize HLP as a factor that positively influences their inclination to return or integrate with local or host populations. It is crucial to enhance collaboration among humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding sectors to address the intertwined challenges of land rights, emergency shelter requirements, and infrastructural deficits, thus fostering peace and stability in the Central Sahel.

The interconnections between housing, land, and property issues are critical in the Central Sahel, particularly as they relate to the forced displacement of populations. Increasing shelter needs and tenure insecurity necessitate urgent attention from relevant practitioners across humanitarian, development, and peace sectors to design sustainable interventions. Enhanced cooperation will create pathways toward recovery, stability, and the respect for property rights.

Original Source: reliefweb.int