West Africa and Central Africa: UN warns of deepening humanitarian crisis

The United Nations and its partners are sounding the alarm over a growing humanitarian emergency in West and Central Africa, calling for urgent action to prevent further suffering. With the 2026 global humanitarian appeal totaling $33 billion, $5.1 billion is urgently needed to support 24 million of the region’s most vulnerable people.

The situation is deteriorating rapidly, particularly in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria. Without immediate funding, millions will face increased hunger, displacement, and protection risks, warns Charles Bernimolin, Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) for West and Central Africa.

Escalating conflicts and climate shocks fuel displacement

The crisis is driven by a combination of violent conflicts, political instability, and extreme weather events. In the Central Sahel—including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—the security vacuum has spilled over into neighboring countries like Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Mauritania. Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict in Sudan and instability around Lake Chad continue to displace millions.

Currently, 12.7 million people are internally displaced, while 3.7 million have fled to neighboring countries as refugees or asylum seekers. Vulnerable groups—especially women and children—are disproportionately affected. Many have been forced to flee multiple times, facing heightened risks such as gender-based violence, exploitation, and survival sex. Climate-related disasters have compounded the crisis, with floods in 2025 affecting over 2 million people across 12 countries. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo alone, more than 830,000 people were impacted.

Severe funding gaps leave millions without critical aid

The humanitarian response remains critically underfunded. Despite receiving generous donations in 2025, only $1.8 billion of the $7.8 billion required was secured—just 24% of the total needed. These shortfalls have forced agencies to make painful cuts, drastically reducing life-saving support.

For example, in the Central African Republic, cash assistance programs plummeted by 75%, leaving families unable to meet basic needs. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 85% of people targeted for shelter support received no assistance at all.

By the end of 2025, humanitarian workers managed to assist 19 million people in the region—but millions more remain beyond reach due to insufficient resources. As the crisis intensifies, aid agencies warn that without immediate funding, the suffering will only deepen.

The UN and partners urge the international community to step up support, emphasizing that the cost of inaction far outweighs the investment required to save lives and restore stability.

By Boureima Amadou — Reporter