The humanitarian situation in the central Sahel region continues to deteriorate with armed groups increasing their pressure. Conflict is fuelling more displacement and exacerbating poverty, chronic food insecurity and competition for scarce resources. The measures to prevent therapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Sahel adds to the challenge for UNHCR and partners to access, assist and protect over three million forcibly displaced people, representing a 15 percent increase since January 2020. UNHCR is scaling up its response through a new regional strategy aimed at supporting governments of the G5 Sahel countries in catering to the needs of affected populations, including the forcibly displaced persons and people at risk of statelessness.