Mr Lanzer said the Sahel is experiencing what he called "a remarkable convergence of issues," including climate change, abject poverty and violence by the terrorist group Boko Haram.
Mkurugenzi wa WFP Magharibi mwa Afrika, Thomas Yanga amesema eneo la Sahel ni mojawapo ya eneo lililo na umaskini mkubwa ulimwenguni na hali ya njaa imesababisha watu wengi kutoka maeneo ya mashambani kuhamia mijini ili kuwatafuta chakula kwa ajili ya familia zao.