British Red Cross submission to the International Development Committee
Background
About the British Red Cross:
The British Red Cross is part of the world’s largest humanitarian network – made up of 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies worldwide as well as the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The British Red Cross and the UK Government have worked together for over 150 years, to help inform, shape and - where appropriate - develop humanitarian policy in line with our humanitarian auxiliary role to the public authorities.
Committee background questions:
Have you ever engaged with Parliament before (e.g. made a submission to a select committee)?
Yes – The British Red Cross regularly engages with parliaments on issues of mutual concern in line with our auxiliary role and the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence.
Do you have personal or field experience related to international development issues?
Yes – The British Red Cross has extensive field and policy experience working with our international partners to help people prepare for, respond to and recover from conflicts and disasters, and become more resilient in the face of climate threats.
If you are invited to pitch your idea to the Committee, would you be able to travel to London and back within the same day?
Yes – The British Red Cross’s head office is based in London.
BRC Submission
Topic Submission: The UK's Role in Addressing Crises in the Sahel
Why should the IDC examine this area? And why is it the right time for the Committee to examine the area?
The Sahel region of Africa, extending eastward from Senegal to Sudan, is facing protracted, complex and compounding crises: armed conflict and climate change are driving unprecedented levels of displacement and food insecurity, resulting in 32.8m people requiring humanitarian assistance.[1] In spite of chronic levels of need, the Sahel is one of the most neglected regions, further deepening its fragility and vulnerability to any further shocks: Chad, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso all rank in the bottom ten of the UN’s Human Development Index.
The Sahel is one of the most climate vulnerable regions globally, with Chad the most climate vulnerable country in the world.[2] Exacerbated by the climate crisis, many communities face food insecurity, frequent epidemic outbreaks, poverty, and disasters such as floods and droughts. Compounding this is worsening insecurity and conflict in the region, with recent coups in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. Almost 5 million people have been forcibly displaced across the wider Sahel region,[3] including 2.1 million who have fled Sudan.[4]
The need for humanitarian assistance and durable solutions – both development and political – is more dire than ever. Despite huge needs, the Sahel has received relatively little funding from traditional donors: OCHA’s funding requirements were only 43% met as of October 2024[5], and IFRC’s Sudan Appeal is only 23% funded.[6] Further, actors working in the region for many years have had to withdraw in recent years, including French troops and a number of established NGOs; notably, Niger in recent months has imposed bans on some INGOs and military escorts on others, limiting humanitarian access. As FCDO develops its Sahel strategy, in line with new JACS guidance, this is a vital time to launch an inquiry and make recommendations to ensure that the new strategy is as effective, impactful and sustainable as possible.
Why does the Government need to act in this area? How could Government policy in this area be developed or improved?
The UK's extensive experience in responding to fragile, conflict- and climate-affected contexts, combined with its diplomatic reach and humanitarian expertise, positions it as an effective critical player in responding to the compounding crises in the region.
The recent UK-Sahel Partnership Summary (2023)[7] recognised the growing significance of issues such as security and migration in the region, and the need to better understand and address the underlying causes of conflict and humanitarian need, while acknowledging the UK’s limited programming and personnel. It is also notable that, other than national governments, no local or national partners were listed – though local organisations, such as Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, often enjoy higher levels of community trust, acceptance and access, even as international actors are forced to withdraw or cease service provision.
We welcome the UK’s recent decision to double aid to Sudan and Chad, and hope to see support extended to other countries in this highly interconnected region. Guided by a deliberate approach to help people out of the poverty trap, UK funding could connect humanitarian, development, peace and reconstruction agendas, making funding allocations that address communities’ immediate lifesaving needs while also contributing to their recovery and long-term resilience to future shocks. For example, we would welcome a strengthened commitment to supporting locally-led humanitarian action, including building on FCDO’s work to improve local access to climate finance in contexts like Niger. Finally, we hope to see the UK leverage its diplomatic weight, working through partnerships, to identify and negotiate durable solutions to some of the root causes and political drivers of the Sahel’s complex crises.
Suggested questions:
- What is the UK’s strategic approach to the Sahel, and how will it leverage complementary humanitarian, development and diplomatic resources to tackle the root causes of the region’s fragility and vulnerability, including climate and conflict?
- How is the UK ensuring that its funding to the Sahel, including Sudan and Chad, is being spent as effectively as possible to meet both immediate and long-term needs, and reach the most vulnerable?
- How is the UK demonstrating its commitment to modern, equitable partnerships in the Sahel, including support to locally-led action, to advance the region’s resilience?