The United Nations has launched a critical appeal for 5.1 billion dollars to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in West and Central Africa, targeting 24 million of the most vulnerable individuals across the region.
In the context of the broader 2026 global humanitarian appeal of 33 billion dollars, this funding is deemed essential to prevent further deterioration of living conditions for millions facing extreme hardship.
regional instability and forced displacement surge
By 2026, an estimated 42 million people in countries such as Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Chad will require urgent assistance to survive and remain secure. The crisis is driven by a confluence of factors, including persistent conflict, violent extremism, and environmental disasters.
« Without immediate resources, families will face worsening hunger, displacement, and protection risks in West and Central Africa, » warns Charles Bernimolin, Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Regional Bureau for West and Central Africa.
escalating violence in the central Sahel and lake Chad basin
Instability in the Central Sahel—particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—is spilling over into neighboring nations such as Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Mauritania. Concurrently, the Lake Chad Basin crisis and the conflict in Sudan continue to displace populations at an alarming rate.
Over 12.7 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 3.7 million refugees and asylum seekers are currently scattered across the region, with women and children constituting the majority. Many have been forced to flee multiple times, exposing them to heightened risks such as gender-based violence, exploitation, and survival sex. Tragically, reports of rape and other abuses are on the rise.
climate change exacerbates vulnerability
The humanitarian situation is further compounded by the impacts of climate change. In 2025, severe flooding and intense rainfall affected over 2 million people across 12 countries, destroying crops, damaging homes, and disrupting access to essential services like schools and healthcare. The Democratic Republic of the Congo was particularly hard-hit, with more than 830,000 people affected.
funding shortfalls cripple humanitarian response
The OCHA emphasizes that despite generous donor contributions in 2025, the region has faced a severe funding gap. Of the 7.8 billion dollars requested for humanitarian operations, only 1.8 billion (24%) was received, forcing agencies to scale back their responses and prioritize limited resources.
The consequences of these cuts have been devastating. In the Central African Republic, the number of people receiving cash assistance plummeted by 75%, leaving many unable to meet their basic needs. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 85% of those targeted for shelter assistance received no support, despite mass displacements triggered by conflict.
Despite these challenges, humanitarian partners remain committed to addressing critical needs in West and Central Africa. By the end of 2025, aid workers had provided some form of assistance to 19 million people in the region. However, millions more remain beyond reach due to funding constraints, underscoring the urgent need for increased international support.
