Population Mobility in the Sahel: Implications for Social Protection Programs and Systems

Population mobility in the Sahel is a multifaceted phenomenon. Economic factors play an important role, with many seeking better livelihoods, higher wages, and improved living standards in response to widespread poverty, unemployment, and limited job opportunities. The large scale of internal mobility reflects opportunities and challenges for migrants and their families. Internal mobility can reduce household risks by diversifying income to mitigate against climate- and conflict-related shocks. Social protection programs must be designed and implemented to support mobility dynamics. The design and implementation of safety net systems and programs might need to be adjusted to ensure that people on the move can participate in and benefit from them to the greatest extent possible. This note provides an overview of mobility patterns in the Sahel, discusses their implications on migrants’ vulnerabilities, and presents considerations for social protection systems and programs. It draws, among others, on a background paper on understanding trends and patterns of internal mobility in the Sahel and a review of global best practices in including internal migrants in ASP programs supported by the Sahel Adaptive Social Protection Program (SASPP).