The Harmattan Herald Spring 2022 First Edition

According to data released by the Cadre Harmonisé this month, the Sahel is facing one of the worst years of food insecurity in 15 years. But the causes of food insecurity are more complex today than they have been in the past with additional factors including increased political insecurity and extremist violence layering on top of climate shocks, which are in turn aggravated by the market and social disruptions of COVID 19, and further deepened by additional global disruptions resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Consequently, the importance of USAID’s work in the Sahel is as great today as it has ever been. 

With this setting in mind, we are launching the inaugural issue of The Harmattan Herald, Sahel Regional Office’s quarterly newsletter. Over time, we want to highlight key issues, challenges, opportunities, and progress in the region. We hope to inform our stakeholders, promote coordination, and enhance knowledge management across the Sahel. Ultimately, we hope to contribute enduring and sustainable approaches to improve USAID’s impact in partnership with other USAID operating units, DC-based Bureaus and Independent Offices, donor and implementing partners, and especially citizens, communities, and countries in the Sahel.    

Zeric Smith

Deputy Mission Director

USAID/Senegal/Sahel Regional Office