As conflict and insecurity continue to escalate across the Central Sahel, the European Union (EU) has pledged €10 million in new funding to support refugees, asylum seekers, and host communities in four neighbouring coastal countries: Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo.

The funding, announced to mark World Refugee Day, is part of a broader regional initiative dubbed Project Unite. The programme aims to strengthen the resilience of forcibly displaced populations and the communities that host them by providing sustainable and inclusive support over the next two years.

The initiative will be jointly implemented by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Programme (WFP), working in partnership with national and local authorities.

Since Côte d’Ivoire first began receiving displaced persons from the Central Sahel in April 2021, the region has witnessed a steady influx. Currently, northern areas of Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Togo, and Ghana host approximately 160,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mostly fleeing violence in Burkina Faso. Additionally, internal displacement continues to grow in parts of northern Togo and Benin, exacerbating local socioeconomic challenges.

The EU’s intervention is guided by the Gulf of Guinea Joint Response Plan, through which the four UN agencies aim to ensure equitable access to essential services, economic opportunities, and humanitarian support.

Project Unite’s Key Objectives:

• IOM will enhance local food systems by strengthening smallholder farmers and livestock cooperatives, while improving data collection on population movements and needs.
• UNHCR will lead in collecting and analysing socio-economic data to bolster access to health, education, and livelihoods. The agency will also prioritise safe and climate-resilient housing and expand access to electricity and clean cooking solutions for vulnerable households.
• UNICEF will focus on delivering quality, inclusive education, safeguarding child protection, and addressing gender-based violence. It will also promote safe water access and capacity building to foster community cohesion.
• WFP will implement climate-resilient agriculture, asset creation, and nutrition-sensitive livelihood projects. Its efforts will include multipurpose cash transfers, women’s empowerment, school feeding, and real-time food security monitoring.

Francesca Di Mauro, the EU Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire, reaffirmed the EU’s long-term commitment to West Africa, stating:

“Our support aims not only to address urgent humanitarian needs but also to build long-term resilience for both displaced populations and host communities. Through Project Unite, we reaffirm our commitment to regional stability, protection of human rights, and inclusive development in West Africa.”

UNHCR’s Multi-Country Representative, Olivier Beer, welcomed the EU’s continued engagement:

“As the influx of displaced persons continues, we commend the EU's support for these essential protection activities. Registering asylum seekers and refugees, collecting socio-economic data for inclusive development, and increasing the resilience of host and refugee communities are fundamental to ensuring both protection and stability.”

The EU’s commitment comes at a critical time as host nations grapple with limited resources and rising pressure on public services. Project Unite aims to bridge the gap between humanitarian response and long-term development, ensuring that both refugees and host communities can thrive amidst growing displacement.