West Africa humanitarian crisis: urgent call for 5.1 billion dollars
The United Nations and its partners are rallying for 5.1 billion dollars to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in West and Central Africa. This funding is critical to assist 24 million vulnerable individuals who face severe hardship in 2026.
Regional crisis deepens: who is affected?
In 2026, over 42 million people across Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Chad will require urgent aid to survive and stay safe. The crisis is worsening due to persistent conflicts, environmental disasters, and economic instability.
« Without immediate resources, families in West and Central Africa will face increased hunger, displacement, and protection risks, » warns Charles Bernimolin, Head of the UN OCHA Regional Office for West and Central Africa.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlights that violence, ongoing conflicts, and climate-related catastrophes continue to displace families and undermine their ability to meet basic needs.
Conflict and displacement: Sahel and Lake Chad Basin
The instability in the Central Sahel—particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—has spilled over into neighboring countries like Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Mauritania. Meanwhile, the Lake Chad Basin crisis and the Sudan conflict have forced millions more to flee their homes.
Over 12.7 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 3.7 million refugees and asylum seekers are scattered across the region, with women and children comprising the majority. Many endure repeated displacements and heightened risks, including gender-based violence, exploitation, and survival sex, leaving deep scars on communities.
Climate change amplifies vulnerability
In 2025, severe flooding and intense rainfall impacted over 2 million people across 12 countries, destroying crops, damaging homes, and cutting off access to schools and healthcare. The Democratic Republic of the Congo was particularly hard-hit, with 830,000 people affected.
Funding gaps cripple humanitarian response
Despite donor generosity in 2025, the region faced a severe funding shortfall: only 1.8 billion dollars of the 7.8 billion required were received—just 24%. These deficits have forced humanitarian agencies to drastically reduce support, leaving millions without essential aid.
Impact of underfunding:
- In the Central African Republic, cash assistance dropped by 75%, leaving families unable to meet urgent needs.
- In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 85% of people targeted for shelter aid received no support despite massive new displacements.
By the end of 2025, humanitarian workers had provided some form of assistance to 19 million people in West and Central Africa. However, millions more remain unreached due to funding constraints.
The crisis demands immediate action. Without sustained funding, the suffering will deepen, and the most vulnerable will fall further behind.
