The African Development Bank is considering a $1 million emergency grant to support refugees, internally displaced people and host communities in Togo’s Savanes region.
The proposed funding still requires approval from the Bank’s Board of Directors. If approved, the project would be implemented by the United Nations Refugee Agency in partnership with Togo’s National Commission for Refugee Assistance, the Emergency Programme for the Savanes Region and other national institutions.
Northern Togo is facing growing humanitarian pressure as insecurity in the neighbouring Sahel region forces more people to seek safety across the border.
The Savanes region currently hosts more than 55,000 refugees and approximately 16,000 internally displaced people. Nearly 1.9 million residents are indirectly affected by increased pressure on public services, infrastructure and natural resources.
Assessments cited by the African Development Bank indicate that 52 per cent of households face food insecurity, while 68 per cent of shelters are unsafe or in poor condition.
Women represent between 60 and 65 per cent of displaced household heads and face heightened risks of gender-based violence, poverty and limited access to essential services.
The proposed project would provide construction materials, including cement, roofing sheets and nails, to help 1,000 households repair damaged shelters.
Families would also receive essential household supplies such as cooking utensils, buckets, mosquito nets, blankets, mats and solar lamps.
Funding would support refugee registration, documentation, logistics, training, gender-based violence prevention and livelihood activities.
The project would place particular emphasis on strengthening women-led cooperatives. It is expected to establish or support 10 cooperatives and provide training in business management, governance and entrepreneurship.
Women participating in the initiative would receive assistance to develop income-generating activities, connect with financial institutions and enter local value chains.
The proposed grant would complement other humanitarian and development programmes operating in the Savanes region.
Togo’s Emergency Programme for the Savanes Region launched an 18 billion CFA franc response plan for 2026–2027 to assist more than 430,000 vulnerable people.
The United Nations has also opened an office in Dapaong to strengthen coordination, while Plan International and the European Union are implementing a 1.9 billion CFA franc project supporting social cohesion, education, protection and economic empowerment.
If approved, the African Development Bank grant would help address immediate humanitarian needs while improving economic self-reliance and strengthening resilience among displaced people and host communities.
