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SIG Sahel – ACF
SIG Sahel – ACF

Monitoring and Early Warning System in the Sahel

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SIG Sahel – ACF
SIG Sahel – ACF

Monitoring and Early Warning System in the Sahel

Category: Biomasse

Biomasse

Analysis report on biomass production in 2024 in the Sahel

31/10/202406/12/2024
  • Significant rainfall received, particularly in the Sahel countries
  • Good biomass production in the Sahelian zone of West Africa overall
  • Biomass production significantly above normal in Central Sahel
  • Average to low biomass production on the western coast and coastal countries
  • Low exposure of the region to vulnerability related to biomass
  • Runoff above normal levels, causing significant flooding
  • Security context severely hindering the mobility of herds and access to pastures and water resources in Central Sahel, in addition to mobility restrictions towards coastal countries, particularly Benin and Togo
  • Significant movements of displaced populations with livestock in several areas of the region

Report downloadable here

Data downloadable here

Biomasse

Sahelian biomass production analysis bulletin at rainy mid-season 2024

21/09/202421/09/2024
  • Late start to the rainy season
  • Low biomass production across the coastal countries
  • Above-average biomass production in the eastern Sahelian belt
  • Below-average biomass production in western Mali, Burkina Faso, and central Senegal
  • Above-average runoff causing significant flooding, particularly in the Sahelian zone
  • Expected favourable end to the rainy season across the Sahel
  • Potential vulnerability for herders in the western part of the region

Report downloadable here

Biomasse

Analysis report on biomass production in 2023 in the Sahel

01/11/202312/11/2023
  • Biomass production globally close to normal in the Sahelian zone of West Africa
  • Biomass production higher than normal in the southwest of Mauritania, extending to the northern border of Senegal and the central Sahel region and in Burkina Faso
  • Very low biomass production in the northern limit of the Sahelian belt
  • Very low biomass production in the Lake Chad basin area
  • Negative biomass production anomalies along the coastal countries, particularly in Benin
  • High vulnerability in the northern border of the Sahel
  • Security issues severely hinder the mobility of herds and access to pastures and water resources in the Central Sahel. This is in addition to mobility restrictions towards the coastal countries, especially Benin and Togo

Report downloadable here

Biomasse

Sahelian biomass production analysis bulletin at rainy mid-season 2023

22/09/202316/12/2023
  • Rainfall situation ranging from average to good across most of the Sahelian belt
  • Occurrence of rainfall breaks and dry spells observed
  • Biomass production near average levels throughout West Africa and the Sahel
  • Good biomass production in the southern region of Mauritania up to the northern border of Senegal
  • Biomass production ranging from average to above normal in the three-border region, except for the Tillabéri zone in Niger
  • Low to very low biomass production across the entire northern fringe of the Sahel in areas with very low production
  • Irregular growth, early decline, and low to very low biomass production in the Lake Chad region (Chad) and eastern Niger
  • Low biomass production along coastal countries, with some localized good production in Nigeria
  • Favourable end of the rainy season expected across the entire Sahel
  • Probability of limited vulnerability for livestock breeders

Report downloadable here

Biomasse

Analysis report on biomass production in 2022 in the Sahel

04/11/202212/11/2023
  • Very good rainy season in the Sahelian zone of West Africa
  • Above normal biomass production in most of the Sahelian zone
  • Very good biomass production in the western block composed of central and southern Senegal, southern Mauritania, central and southern Mali and Burkina Faso
  • Good biomass production in Chad, except in the south of the country
  • Low to very low production in the Central Sahel, particularly in south-west Niger
  • Below average biomass production in coastal countries, particularly in Nigeria
  • Security context strongly hindering herds mobility and access to pasture and water resources in the Central Sahel, in addition to restrictions on mobility to coastal countries, particularly Benin and Togo

Report downloadable here

Biomasse

Sahelian biomass production analysis bulletin at rainy mid-season 2022

15/09/202212/11/2023
  • Early start to the rainy season in the Sahel with good rainfall
  • Rainfall breaks observed at the beginning of the season
  • Very good biomass production in central and southern Senegal, central and southern Mali, Burkina Faso, and central Chad
  • Below normal biomass production in northern Senegal, southwestern Mauritania
  • Much below normal biomass production in the tri-border area, particularly in southwestern Niger
  • Below normal biomass production in coastal countries, particularly Benin and Nigeria, and below normal production in Togo and Côte d’Ivoire
  • End of rainy season expected to be favourable across the Sahel

Download the bulletin here

Biomasse

Analysis report on biomass production in 2021 in the Sahel

05/11/202109/01/2024
  • Rainy season globally close to normal in the Sahel
  • Biomass production close to normal in almost all of the Sahelian area
  • Negative biomass production in pastoral areas of Mauritania, in the Tagant, Assaba, Guidimakha and Gorgol regions
  • Strongly negative biomass production in Mauritania and moderately negative in the Timbuktu region of Mali
  • Critical biomass production deficits in Hodh El Chargui and Hodh El Gharbi in Mauritania 
  • Negative biomass production especially in the northern pastoral zone of Niger and Chad
  • Economic environment remains challenging
  • Security context severely hampering herd mobility and access to pasture and water resources in the Central Sahel

Report downloadable here

Biomasse

Biomass Status in the Sahel at Mid-Season of the 2021 Rainy Season

14/09/202109/01/2024
  • Contrasting rainy season in the Sahel with rainfall breaks in the west and normal to surplus in the central part
  • Normal to surplus biomass production in Niger, Chad, Northern Burkina Faso and Eastern Mali
  • Below normal biomass production over central and Western Mali, central Senegal
  • Much lower than normal biomass production over the whole of Mauritania
  • Much lower than normal biomass production in the coastal countries of Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria
  • Difficult economic context due to restrictions following the COVID pandemic19
  • Security context strongly hampering herd mobility and access to pasture and water resources in the Central Sahel

Bulletin downloadable here

Biomasse

Analysis Report on Biomass Production in 2020 in the Sahel

06/11/202009/01/2024
  • Positive rainy season in the Sahel
  • Surplus of biomass production compared to the normal over almost the entire Sahelian zone
  • Locally negative biomass production in Western Mauritania, in the regions of Tagant, Brakna and Trarza
  • Locally moderately negative biomass production in the Matam region of Senegal
  • Deficits in biomass production quite critical in the Boucle du Mouhoun, Central West, Central Plateau and Central East regions
  • Negative biomass production in isolated enclaves especially in the northern pastoral zone of Barh-El-Gazel, Batha and Ennedi-Est
  • Difficult economic context due to the sanitary measure and associated restrictions following the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Security context severely hindering herd mobility and access to pasture and water resources in the Central Sahel

Report in English downloadable here

Biomasse

Analysis Report on Sahel Biomass 2019

21/10/201923/08/2024

Highlights:

Overall, biomass production in the Sahel for the 2019 season shows a significant deterioration compared to the 2018 biomass levels. Senegal, Mauritania, and the pastoral areas in northern Niger and Chad require significant attention. These areas could experience an early and prolonged dry season. In addition to biomass deficits, some of these regions are also affected by surface water deficits, as seen in the southwest of Tagant (Mauritania).

Pastoral areas in Senegal and Mauritania are still recovering from successive droughts that have occurred over the past six years in these regions. Therefore, the impacts of biomass deficits will be magnified as decimated herds struggle to find pastures and water.

Elsewhere, there are moderate biomass deficits in the pastoral areas of northern Niger (Zinder and Diffa) to the East, as well as in some parts of Tahoua and Tillabéry to the West. A similar situation is observed in Chad. Most of these deficit areas are in proximity to surplus areas. If herd mobility is not hindered, herders should be able to find pastures. However, in conflict or banditry-prone areas, which are intensifying in the Sahel region (Burkina Faso, Niger – Tillabéry, Tahoua, Diffa – and Mali – Gao, Mopti), this may be less evident.

Given these trends and the significant biomass deficit, pastoral situations need regular monitoring. An early response to the dry season in Senegal and Mauritania should be undertaken promptly.

Recommendations:

  • Refer to the ACF Early Warning Guide on Biomass at: tinyurl.com/early-warning.
  • Conduct rapid assessments in deficit areas to determine community needs.
  • Government and humanitarian actors: Adjust intervention plans and emergency measures to accommodate a potential early pastoral dry season in Mauritania and Senegal. Consider incorporating the following interventions:
  • Strengthening public livestock services and pastoral organizations.
  • Distribution of animal feed.
  • Livestock restocking/de-stocking.
  • Veterinary support and livestock vaccination.
  • Cash transfers.

Download report here

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