Addressing Housing, Land, and Property Issues in the Central Sahel
In 2024, a significant portion of protection incidents were linked to property violations, with housing needs among displaced persons greatly surpassing those of host communities. Tensions surrounding HLP issues, exacerbated by forced displacement, are crucial to address through improved land access and management. Collaboration among humanitarian, development, and peace efforts is essential for stability in the Central Sahel.
In 2024, two-fifths of protection incidents recorded by communities pertained to violations of property rights. Concurrently, the same proportion of respondents attributed land and housing issues as contributing factors to intercommunity tensions. Conflicts surrounding housing, land, and property (HLP) have manifested as severe threats, leading to pervasive violence against civilians in the Central Sahel. Such conflicts compel families to evacuate their homes, exacerbating HLP risks during and post-displacement.
A report indicates that forcibly displaced individuals expressed shelter needs that were double those of the host communities in 2024. Additionally, half of both displaced and host community members identified construction or rehabilitation of housing as their chief need, thereby underscoring the structural nature of HLP challenges in the region.
Forced displacement has intensified existing housing and land issues, amplifying the pressure on services, resource access, and employment in areas accommodating displaced populations. Tenure insecurity and potential forced evictions are aggravated in regions where land access is governed by competing customary and legal frameworks, indicating an urgent need for improved land management practices.
To effectively address these challenges, secure and sustainable land access is essential for initiatives such as shelter installations or agricultural projects. Although issues persist, donations remain the primary method (65%) for securing land access in the Central Sahel. Moreover, communities surveyed recognized HLP as a beneficial factor influencing their readiness to voluntarily return to or integrate within host communities.
Given their critical position at the intersection of land rights, emergency needs, and infrastructural deficiencies, housing, land, and property issues necessitate enhanced collaboration among humanitarian, development, and peace-building entities. A cohesive approach is vital to address the multi-faceted nature of displacement and the resultant impacts on community stability.
Housing, land, and property issues play a crucial role in the Central Sahel, significantly impacting forcibly displaced persons and host communities. The increased competition for resources and contradictory land ownership norms exacerbate tensions, underscoring the need for comprehensive land management strategies. Collaborative efforts among humanitarian, development, and peace practitioners are essential to foster durable solutions and aid stability in the region.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
