Benin

10,000 refugees, mainly from Burkina Faso

5,500 internally displaced persons

547,422 people acutely food insecure

27,000 people helped

The northern regions of the countries bordering the Gulf of Guinea are regularly affected by the activities of armed groups in the sahelian strip, causing population displacements in border areas.

In Benin, the departments bordering Burkina Faso and Niger where displaced persons and refugees are received are often fragile rural areas, where already vulnerable populations are also struggling to adapt to the consequences of climate change.

Food insecurity has increased in recent years, with part of the population in phase 3 and 4 of the integrated food classification framework, and malnutrition levels higher than the country’s average. Despite the efforts of government departments, health services and water, hygiene and sanitation infrastructure are inadequate and struggling to meet the needs of the population.

In this unstable context, women, girls, marginalised people and people with disabilities face new difficulties and are all the more vulnerable.

13.7 million inhabitants
166th out of 191 on the Human Development Index

Mission
opened in 2024
Team 4 international staff
Budget 250,000 euros

 SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL carried out an exploratory mission in March 2023 in the north of Benin. Together with its local partners, the team was able to assess the needs of the affected populations in order to provide an appropriate response, in coordination with national programmes.

 SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL has developed a multi-sectoral strategy, with the support of local players and government departments in particular, to help reduce the impact of the conflict in the Sahel on vulnerable populations:

Support for displaced people and host communities: Distribution of multi-sector kits (food and non-food items) for new arrivals, distribution of cash or essential items, referral of cases of protection and malnutrition,
Strengthening infrastructure providing access to drinking water and sanitation (construction and rehabilitation)
Actions to strengthen the resilience of local populations

Partners

Financial partners: CDCS

Operational partners: Havre de Paix, ANAEPMR, local authorities in the areas concerned, decentralised government departments

Water, sanitation and hygiene

Rehabilitation of 6 boreholes equipped with human-powered pumps
Setting up water point management committees
The construction of latrines in 2 community facilities (health centre, transit centre or temporary shelter)
Organising hygiene promotion sessions

Identifying needs

Interviews with displaced populations in order to identify and refer cases of protection and/or malnutrition to the appropriate structures

Kits distribution

Distribution of 1,000 kits designed to cover the immediate EAH, food and basic shelter needs of a family of 6, displaced, refugees or vulnerable guests

Should you have any questions, please contact Xavier Lauth

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