Donors meeting at the conference in Copenhagen to raise money for humanitarian?action in the central Sahel region pledged about 1.7 billion dollars.

U.N. Humanitarian Chief Mark Lowcock told reporters that the pledges represent substantial success. 

Overall, the U.N. needs 1.4 billion dollars for the region this year. 

About 550 million dollars has been received so far?– just under 40% of what is needed.?

A further 1.56 billion is projected to meet 2021 humanitarian needs.? 

Veronic Njie reports.