West and Central Africa in urgent need: UN appeals for 5.1 billion dollars
The United Nations and its partners have launched a critical appeal for 5.1 billion dollars as part of the 2026 global humanitarian funding drive totaling 33 billion dollars. This funding aims to support 24 million of the most vulnerable individuals across West and Central Africa, a region grappling with escalating crises.
In 2026, over 42 million people in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Chad will require urgent assistance to survive and remain safe. Charles Bernimolin, Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Regional Bureau for West and Central Africa, warns: « Without immediate resources, families will face increased hunger, displacement, and protection risks, exacerbating suffering across the region. »
escalating violence and environmental disasters fuel displacement
The Sahel crisis, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, has spilled over into neighboring countries like Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Mauritania. Concurrently, instability in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sudan conflict have forced millions more to flee their homes.
Currently, 12.7 million internally displaced persons and 3.7 million refugees and asylum seekers—predominantly women and children—remain displaced. Many have been uprooted multiple times and face heightened risks, including gender-based violence and exploitation, with reports of rape and survival sex becoming alarmingly common.
Compounding these challenges, climate change intensifies vulnerabilities. In 2025, severe flooding affected over 2 million people across 12 countries, destroying crops, damaging homes, and disrupting access to education and healthcare. The Democratic Republic of the Congo was particularly hard-hit, with over 830,000 people affected.
funding gaps cripple humanitarian response
Despite generous donor contributions in 2025, the region faced a severe funding shortfall. Of the 7.8 billion dollars required, only 1.8 billion dollars—a mere 24%—was received. These deficits have forced humanitarian organizations to scale back operations, making difficult choices about which areas and communities to prioritize.
The consequences have been devastating. In the Central African Republic, the number of people receiving cash assistance dropped by 75%, severely limiting their ability to meet urgent needs. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 85% of people targeted for shelter aid received no support, despite massive displacement triggered by conflict.
By the end of 2025, humanitarian workers had provided some form of assistance to 19 million people across West and Central Africa. « Yet, millions more remain beyond reach due to funding shortfalls, » emphasized aid agencies.