The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $1 million grant to help Togo respond to the humanitarian crisis in its northern Savanes Region, where growing refugee arrivals and internal displacement linked to insecurity in the Central Sahel are placing increasing pressure on local communities and public services.
The grant will finance a 12-month emergency response programme to be implemented by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in partnership with the Togolese government. The initiative aims to provide immediate humanitarian assistance while strengthening the resilience of displaced people and the communities hosting them.
According to the AfDB, the deteriorating security situation in the Central Sahel since 2022 has triggered a steady influx of refugees into Gulf of Guinea countries. In Togo, the Savanes Region is now home to more than 55,000 refugees and nearly 16,000 internally displaced persons, with an estimated 1.9 million people directly or indirectly affected by the crisis.
The project will provide emergency assistance to around 7,000 vulnerable people, including refugees and members of host communities. It also includes the registration and documentation of 5,000 newly arrived refugees, enabling them to access essential services and protection.
In addition, about 1,000 households will receive shelter rehabilitation kits and essential household items to improve living conditions for displaced families.
“In the face of the growing scale of forced displacement in northern Togo, this intervention will help address urgent humanitarian needs while strengthening the resilience of affected communities,” Pascal Yembiline, the African Development Bank’s Country Manager for Togo, said in a statement.
He continued: “The bank remains committed to supporting the Government of Togo in protecting the most vulnerable populations and preserving social cohesion in this strategic region of the country.”
The programme will place particular emphasis on supporting women and girls, who are among those most affected by displacement. Planned activities include measures to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, alongside initiatives to strengthen women’s economic empowerment through the creation and expansion of women’s cooperatives.
“This operation is part of the African Development Bank Group’s efforts to address fragility, build resilience and support stability in the Gulf of Guinea countries affected by the spillover effects of regional crises,” said Martha Phiri, Director of the Bank’s Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development Department.
She said the initiative is designed not only to meet immediate humanitarian needs but also to strengthen the long-term resilience of displaced populations and host communities while supporting Togo’s efforts to manage the growing influx of refugees and internally displaced people.
The grant comes as coastal West African countries face increasing humanitarian and security pressures from the spillover of conflicts in the Central Sahel. Regional governments and development partners have stepped up efforts to strengthen resilience, improve protection for displaced populations and prevent instability from spreading further into the Gulf of Guinea.
