July 13, 2016
Most people have never heard of Lake Chad, but for millions of people living in the Sahel region of central Africa, this lake is their lifeblood. In recent years, climate change has dried up much of the lake — creating an extreme drought.
As Lake Chad shrinks, extremism grows on its shores. This crisis has left nine million people across Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger in need of life-saving assistance. In their desperation, many are turning to previously unthinkable options in order to survive; some have risked everything to cross the Sahara for work while others have joined Boko Haram, exchanging violent service for survival.
Also see:
- The Crisis You Never Knew Existed, Reuters, May 24, 2016
- Shattered Dreams: Returning Migrants in Agadez Tell Their Stories, UNOCHA, June 24, 2016
