Housing, land, and property (HLP) issues in the Central Sahel are urgent, with property rights violations leading to increased displacement and community tensions. Displaced persons report a higher need for shelter compared to host communities. To provide meaningful humanitarian assistance, secure land access must be ensured, emphasizing collaborative efforts across sectors.
In 2024, two-fifths of protection incidents reported by communities involved violations of property rights, highlighting the prevalence of housing, land, and property (HLP) issues. These issues contribute to inter-community tensions and manifest through extortion, theft, and destruction of property, leading to forced displacements. Displaced individuals revealed their shelter needs were double that of host communities, underlining the urgent need for safe housing solutions in the region.
Forced displacement exacerbates existing HLP challenges in semi-urban areas, increasing tenure insecurity and the likelihood of forced evictions. Competing customary and legal land regulations complicate access to land, which is essential for humanitarian assistance. For effective interventions like shelter installation or agricultural activities, secure land access must be prioritized.
Data indicates that 65% of land access in the Central Sahel is through donations, despite ongoing challenges. Communities noted that positive perceptions of HLP issues could encourage voluntary returns and integration into local communities. Therefore, it is vital to strengthen cooperation among humanitarian, development, and peace-building practitioners to address these complexities in HLP management.
In summary, housing, land, and property issues in the Central Sahel are critical factors influencing forced displacement and community tensions. Acknowledging that two-fifths of protection incidents involve property rights violations, humanitarian responses must prioritize secure land access as a requirement for effective assistance. Collaboration between various sectors is essential to enhance HLP conditions and support displaced individuals and communities in achieving sustainable solutions.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
