AGP Executive Report

Sand & Dust Storms in Focus: The UN’s weather agency says 2025’s severe sand and dust storms hit public health and ecosystems, with the Bodélé Depression in Chad again recording the world’s highest average dust levels—linked to drought and land degradation, not just natural desert dust. Climate & Heat Records: June 2026 was reported as the second-hottest June on record, underscoring how fast global warming is stacking the odds against vulnerable regions. Indigenous Knowledge for Climate: A new report argues Indigenous lands and culture protect biodiversity and store carbon—while also calling out gaps in how Indigenous leaders are included in climate funding and negotiations. El Niño Funding Push: UN agencies are seeking over $200 million to protect 8.8 million people across 22 African countries from the return of El Niño, with drought and flooding risks varying by region. Lake Chad Security Link: Nigeria’s army chief points to Lake Chad Basin instability and Sahel spillover as drivers of insecurity—highlighting how environmental stress and conflict can reinforce each other.

Sand & Dust Storms: The UN’s weather agency says 2025’s severe sand and dust storms hit China and the southern U.S., with impacts on air quality, health, ecosystems, and transport—and it flags Chad’s Bodele Depression as the world’s top dust hotspot. Climate & Health Reporting: Nigeria’s Academy of Science urged journalists to step up climate coverage, linking desertification and Lake Chad shrinkage to public health and insecurity. El Niño Risk for Africa: UN agencies are seeking $200M+ to protect 8.8 million people across 22 African countries as El Niño returns, with drought and flooding risks varying by region. Lake Chad Basin Pressure: UNHCR warns the Lake Chad crisis is spiraling, with violence displacing thousands—raising the stakes for environment and livelihoods in the basin. Local Resilience in Action: A Fast Company award highlights Action Against Hunger’s PharmaBox—solar-powered, temperature-controlled medical storage—already deployed in Chad to help communities during extreme conditions. Desertification Fight: China’s Great Green Wall reforestation push is credited with boosting carbon capture and degraded-soil recovery, while the debate continues over plantations versus natural forests.

Climate & Health in Nigeria: The Nigerian Academy of Science urged journalists to step up climate reporting, linking desertification in the north and coastal erosion in the south to public health risks and even insecurity tied to a shrinking Lake Chad. Sand & Dust Storms: A UN weather report says 2025 brought some of the worst dust storms in decades, with the highest dust levels again centered on Chad’s Bodélé Depression—highlighting impacts on air quality, health, farming, transport, and ecosystems. El Niño Funding Push: UN agencies are seeking $200M+ to protect 8.8M people across 22 high-risk countries as El Niño returns, with varied impacts across Africa including drought and flooding, and support like resilient seeds and flood-control measures. Wildlife Under Pressure: Conservationists warn vulture populations in and around Chad face rising risk from belief-driven poisoning and poaching demand spreading from West Africa. Lake Chad Security Link: Nigerian military leaders again tied worsening insecurity to instability across the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel, stressing heightened readiness.

Air Quality & Land Degradation: The UN’s World Meteorological Organization says the world’s worst sand and dust storms are increasingly tied to drought and poor land management, with the highest dust levels again centered on Chad’s Bodélé Depression—storms that can harm health, disrupt farming and strain water and energy systems. Climate Risk for Africa: The UN’s FAO and WFP are urging $200M+ for 8.8 million people across 22 high-risk countries as El Niño returns, warning of drought in some areas and flooding in others—Cameroon, Chad’s neighbors, and the wider region are all on the list. Lake Chad Basin Crisis: UNHCR warns the Lake Chad Basin is nearing a “dangerous tipping point,” with 3.5M+ forcibly displaced and 1,800+ security incidents between Sept 2025 and May 2026 killing 5,700+—violence is spreading and humanitarian access is tightening. Conservation Under Pressure: A report highlights rising demand for vultures in West Africa that is now reaching Central Africa, with Chad’s vultures increasingly at risk from poisoning and cross-border trapping. Health Logistics in Conflict Zones: Inditex and UNHCR renewed support to boost safety and climate resilience in refugee camps, including major funding for living conditions and supplies.

Climate Watch: June 2026 landed as the world’s second-hottest June on record, just 0.09°C below the 2024 peak, with NOAA flagging record warmth across the eastern and central tropical Pacific. El Niño Risk for Africa: UN agencies are asking for $200M+ to protect 8.8 million people across 22 high-risk countries as El Niño strengthens, with impacts expected to include drought in the south and more complex weather elsewhere. Lake Chad Basin Crisis: UNHCR says insecurity is driving a fast slide toward a “dangerous tipping point,” with 3.5M+ forcibly displaced across the basin and 1,800+ security incidents killing 5,700+ between Sept 2025 and May 2026. Wildlife Under Pressure: A new report warns vulture demand tied to beliefs in Nigeria and Benin is reaching Central Africa, with researchers finding hooded vultures largely absent around slaughterhouses and landfills near N’Djamena, Chad. Health + Pollution Link: Studies suggest microplastic pollution can help bacteria develop antibiotic resistance faster, pointing to urgent needs for better wastewater management and monitoring. Local Action in Chad: Action Against Hunger’s PharmaBox—solar-powered, temperature-controlled medical storage—has already been deployed to Chad and Sudan.

Climate Watch: June 2026 landed as the world’s second-hottest June on record, just 0.09°C below the 2024 peak, with NOAA also flagging January–June 2026 as the third-warmest first half since 1850. Lake Chad Basin Crisis: UNHCR says insecurity is worsening fast across the Lake Chad Basin, with 3.5+ million people forcibly displaced and nearly 1,800 security incidents plus 5,700 deaths recorded between Sept 2025 and May 2026. El Niño Funding Push: FAO and WFP are appealing for $200M+ to protect 8.8 million people across 22 African countries from El Niño-driven extremes, including drought, floods, and food shocks. Wildlife Under Pressure: Conservation groups warn vulture populations in Chad and Central Africa are being hit as belief-based demand in Nigeria and Benin drives poisoning and trapping that’s spreading regionally. Water & Health Link: New research connects microplastic pollution to faster antibiotic resistance, urging better wastewater management and monitoring of drug-resistant strains. Local Development in Chad Region: Action Against Hunger’s PharmaBox—solar-powered, temperature-controlled medical storage in shipping containers—has been deployed to Chad and Sudan and just won a Fast Company World Changing Ideas Award. Sustainability & Industry: Castel Group published its 2025 sustainability report, highlighting efforts to cut environmental footprint and build local supply chains, including rice initiatives in Chad.

Lake Chad Basin Humanitarian Alarm: UNHCR says insecurity is spiraling again, with nearly 1,800 security incidents and more than 5,700 deaths recorded between Sept. 2025 and May 2026, pushing displacement to over 3.5 million and threatening a “dangerous tipping point” across Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria. El Niño Funding Push: FAO and WFP are appealing for over $200 million to protect 8.8 million people in 22 high-risk African countries as El Niño conditions strengthen, with drought risks in the south and mixed flooding impacts elsewhere. Vultures Under Threat in Chad: Conservation groups warn that demand for vultures and poisoning practices linked to beliefs are spreading, with hooded vultures disappearing near sites around N’Djamena. Microplastics and Superbugs: New research links microplastic pollution to faster antibiotic resistance, urging better wastewater management and monitoring of drug-resistant strains. Yobe Long-Term Recovery: EU, Switzerland, France’s AFD and UN partners back Yobe’s shift from emergency aid to durable recovery, resilience, and water resource management.

El Niño Risk for the Sahel & Chad Basin: UN agencies are asking for $200M+ to protect 8.8 million people across 22 African countries as El Niño strengthens, with drought and flood risks hitting places including Cameroon, Nigeria, Sudan, and Chad. Lake Chad Crisis Deepens: UNHCR says insecurity is driving a humanitarian spiral in the Lake Chad Basin—3.5M+ displaced and 8.2M needing help—with nearly 1,800 attacks and 5,700+ deaths recorded between Sept 2025 and May 2026. Vultures Under Pressure in Chad: Conservation reporting warns hooded vultures near N’Djamena are disappearing as poisoning and belief-based demand spread from West Africa toward Central Africa. Plastic Pollution & Health Link: New studies suggest microplastics can help bacteria build antibiotic resistance faster, raising stakes for wastewater and sanitation in low- and middle-income countries. Climate Tech in Chad: Action Against Hunger’s PharmaBox—solar-powered, temperature-controlled medical storage in shipping containers—has already been deployed to Chad and Sudan.

Climate Risk in Africa: UN agencies (FAO and WFP) are asking for over $200 million to protect 8.8 million people in 22 high-risk African countries from the return of El Niño, with Southern Africa facing drought risk and parts of Eastern Africa facing more complex impacts like flooding. Wildlife Under Pressure: Conservationists warn that demand for vultures in West Africa is spilling into Central Africa, with belief-driven poisoning and trapping linked to hooded vulture declines around N’Djamena, including in Chad. Lake Chad Basin Crisis: UNHCR says insecurity across the Lake Chad Basin is worsening fast—more than 3.5 million people forcibly displaced and 8.2 million needing help, after nearly 1,800 attacks and 5,700 deaths recorded between Sept. 2025 and May 2026. Water Stress Lens: A new UN-linked water-stress map highlights how countries like Sudan are already beyond sustainable limits, raising the stakes for climate shocks across the region.

Lake Chad Basin Humanitarian Alarm: UNHCR says insecurity is worsening fast across Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, with 3.5 million people forcibly displaced and 8.2 million needing help; it flags nearly 1,800 security incidents and more than 5,700 deaths between Sept. 2025 and May 2026, warning the region is nearing a dangerous tipping point. Wildlife Under Threat (Vultures): Conservationists warn vulture populations in Chad and other central African countries are being hit by belief-driven poisoning and poaching demand spreading from Nigeria and Benin, with hooded vultures reportedly absent around many sites near N’Djamena. Climate Risk: El Niño Returns: FAO and WFP are appealing for $200M+ to protect 8.8 million people in 22 high-risk countries as El Niño conditions strengthen, with African nations including Cameroon, Nigeria, Sudan and others listed among those most exposed to extreme weather. Water & Resilience Context: A new global snapshot on water stress highlights how some countries are already using far more freshwater than nature can replenish—an added pressure point as climate impacts intensify.

Wildlife Crime: Conservationists warn that demand for vultures—driven by belief-based use in Nigeria and Benin—is spreading into Central Africa, with researchers finding critically endangered hooded vultures largely absent around slaughterhouses and landfill sites near N’Djamena, Chad. Climate Risk & Food Security: FAO and WFP have launched a $200M+ appeal to protect 8.8 million people across 22 high-risk countries from the return of El Niño, with African nations including Cameroon, Nigeria, Sudan and Chad facing a mix of drought and flooding threats. Lake Chad Basin Crisis: UNHCR says insecurity in the Lake Chad Basin is worsening fast—more than 3.5 million people displaced and 8.2 million needing aid—after nearly 1,800 attacks killed over 5,700 people in nine months, pushing the region toward a “dangerous tipping point.” Water & Resilience: Nigeria’s government says it’s deepening World Bank work to expand access to safe water and boost food security, including irrigation projects—an approach that matters regionally as climate shocks intensify. Humanitarian Logistics: Action Against Hunger’s PharmaBox—solar-powered, temperature-controlled medical storage in shipping containers—has been recognized for helping deliver medicines in extreme conditions, with deployments including Chad.

Lake Chad Basin Humanitarian Alarm: UNHCR says insecurity is pushing the Lake Chad Basin toward a “dangerous tipping point,” with 3.5 million people forcibly displaced and 8.2 million needing aid; it also reports a sharp rise in violence, including nearly 1,800 security incidents and more than 5,700 deaths between Sept. 2025 and May 2026. Climate Risk for Food Systems: FAO and WFP are seeking over $200 million to protect 8.8 million people across 22 high-risk countries from El Niño’s return, warning of extreme weather impacts that could mean drought, flooding, and food shocks in parts of Africa including Nigeria, Sudan, and Cameroon. Water and Biodiversity in Focus: A new survey finds Lake Chad supports about 2.48 million waterbirds, offering a rare conservation baseline after years of conflict disrupted field research. Regional Security Spillover: Nigeria’s army leadership links worsening insecurity to instability across the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel, while the U.S. draws down most troops from its Lake Chad counterterrorism mission—keeping intelligence cooperation. Development and Infrastructure Pressure: Cameroon leads AFD’s Central Africa portfolio, while Chad sits mid-pack—highlighting the ongoing challenge of turning funding into completed projects and public services.

Lake Chad Basin Crisis: UNHCR says insecurity across the Lake Chad Basin is worsening fast, with 3.5 million+ people forcibly displaced and 8.2 million needing aid; between Sep 2025 and May 2026, nearly 1,800 security incidents killed 5,700+ people, pushing the region toward a “dangerous tipping point.” Regional Environment & Wildlife: A new study finds Lake Chad is also a major refuge for birds, estimating about 2.48 million waterbirds using the lake—an important baseline for conservation despite years of conflict. Water & Food Security: Nigeria’s water ministry and the World Bank reaffirm plans to expand safe water access and food security via irrigation, including the SPIN project, with the Africa Water Forum in N’Djamena, Chad on the agenda. Air Quality Watch: IQAir’s 2026 report flags global pollution, noting Chad fell to 4th this year (likely linked to data gaps), while only a small share of cities meet WHO air standards. Security Spillover: US troop drawdowns and Nigeria’s push for tech-driven defense are being debated, but the humanitarian and stability risks around Lake Chad remain the headline for the region.

Lake Chad Basin Crisis: UNHCR says insecurity is spiralling: 3.5 million people displaced across Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, with 8.2 million needing aid; between Sep 2025 and May 2026, nearly 1,800 security incidents killed over 5,700 people, and the agency warns the region is nearing a dangerous tipping point. Security Tech & Training: Nigeria’s Army chiefs say instability in the Lake Chad Basin, Sahel and Gulf of Guinea is driving threats at home, and they’re responding with intensified urban warfare, counter-insurgency and cyber defence plus AI and unmanned systems. US Troop Drawdown Debate: After the US withdrew most additional troops from a Lake Chad counterterrorism mission, experts are split—some see it as confidence in Nigeria’s forces, others warn Nigeria must strengthen its own security architecture to avoid gaps. Water & Climate Pressure: A World Bank push for safe water and food security links to the wider climate stress story, while a new study highlights Lake Chad’s wildlife value—about 2.48 million waterbirds use the lake, despite conflict. Air Quality Watch: IQAir’s 2026 report flags severe pollution across the region, with Chad noted as having fallen in rankings likely due to data limits rather than cleaner air.

Lake Chad Basin Humanitarian Alarm: UNHCR says insecurity across Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria has displaced over 3.5 million people, with 8.2 million needing aid; it warns the region is nearing a “dangerous tipping point” after nearly 1,800 security incidents and more than 5,700 deaths recorded between Sept. 2025 and May 2026. Security-Environment Link: Nigeria’s Army chief says the country is intensifying urban warfare, counter-insurgency and cyber defence, pointing to instability in the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel as spillovers that keep worsening day-to-day conditions. US Troop Drawdown Debate: Security experts are split after the US withdrew most additional troops from Nigeria’s Lake Chad Basin mission, with calls for Nigeria to strengthen its own security architecture and sustain intelligence cooperation. Wildlife in Conflict Zones: A new international survey finds Lake Chad supports about 2.48 million waterbirds, offering a rare conservation baseline despite years of insecurity. Water & Food Security Funding: Nigeria and the World Bank are deepening work on safe water and food security, including the SPIN irrigation push, with plans to expand access and support farmers. Chad in Global Climate Risk: UNICEF reports 1.1 billion children worldwide face at least three overlapping climate hazards, underscoring the stakes for countries like Chad as extreme weather pressures grow. Air Quality Watch: IQAir’s 2026 report ranks Chad among the worst air-quality performers globally, though the drop is linked to data limits rather than clear improvement.

Lake Chad Basin Crisis: UNHCR says insecurity across the Lake Chad Basin is worsening fast, with security incidents up 80% since Jan 2024 and nearly 1,800 attacks between Sept 2025 and May 2026 killing over 5,700 people, pushing more than 3.5 million into displacement and threatening fragile stability. Wildlife & Conservation: A new international survey finds Lake Chad is now a major refuge for waterbirds, with researchers estimating about 2.48 million birds using the lake—an important baseline after years of conflict disrupted fieldwork. Climate & Disaster Risk: West Africa is facing severe flooding tied to heavy rains, climate change, and weak infrastructure, with over 1.5 million people displaced and major impacts reported across Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad. Water Stress Data: A global water-stress map highlights how hard some countries are being hit, with Chad’s region facing mounting pressure as freshwater withdrawals outpace renewable supply. Chad in the Region: UAE and Chad leaders met to deepen cooperation, including trade, development, and renewable energy—an angle that matters for long-term sustainability.