Annual Retreat of the Sahel Regional Fund Board members
On September 11, the Board of Directors of the Sahel Regional Fund (SRF) convened in Dakar for its annual retreat — a pivotal moment to reflect on the Fund’s first two years of operations, review achievements, and chart the course for the future. The session provided a space for strategic dialogue on strengthening the SRF’s structure as it transitions toward a more robust and adaptive pooled fund tailored to the needs of the Sahel region.
🔑 Key Highlights
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Review of results: Presentation of the SRF’s accomplishments over its first two years, particularly in pioneering innovative and sustainable humanitarian financing mechanisms.
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Governance and management discussions: Examination of fund management practices, project calls, and the potential transition to a pooled fund to enhance flexibility and responsiveness to crises across the Sahel.
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Localization in action: Emphasis on the importance of localized humanitarian responses and the need for financing models that reflect and respect regional specificities.
The SRF Board of Directors, composed of both permanent and non-permanent members, was established to ensure balanced representation of international organizations, local civil society actors, donors, and independent observers. The Board is committed to fostering sound, ethical, and transparent governance in alignment with the principles of the SRF’s Charter and Mission Statement.
Engaging discussions took place with partners including:
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Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
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Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
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International Rescue Committee (IRC)
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) – United Kingdom
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Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
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Secrétariat Permanent des Organisations Non Gouvernementales (SPONG) – Burkina Faso
as well as local organizations such as AKARASS and AMSS/PONAH.
IATI Requirement under the SRF
2025
Testimonials from our partners
From 16 to 20 October 2023, the Dewral project and RALLIER project hosted the first supervision mission of the SRF's FMU (Fund Management Unit) team in Burkina Faso. This mission is part of the SRF ongoing commitment to monitor the quality of its partners’ operations on a quarterly basis.
The mission unfolded in three stages: a collaborative meeting with the teams from the Dewral and RALLIER consortia, a field visit, and a presentation of the mission’s key points. The consortia shared insights into the project’s implementation status and the challenges encountered in Burkina Faso. They also facilitated a field visit, allowing the SRF team to engage with key project stakeholders, including local authorities, beneficiaries, and technical partners. The feedback phase was meaningful in providing both project teams with valuable insights to enhance project implementation, particularly in terms of stakeholder coordination and budget utilization.
Despite the rapidly evolving context, the mission affirmed the coherence and relevance of the project’s actions. It also highlighted the effective collaboration between the Dewral and RALLIER consortia and local and regional authorities, underscoring the participatory and inclusive nature of the project implementation.
From March to December 2023, Dewral's multisectoral and integrated interventions in the 3 intervention countries (Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali) reached 2,268 displaced households and vulnerable hosts, i.e. 1,667 people, with multipurpose cash assistance (MPCA) activities. Furthermore, all supported communities benefited from awareness sessions on cohesion and coexistence, leading to over 80% of communities reporting improved social cohesion.