The United Nations and its partners are urgently appealing for $5.1 billion in 2026 to support 24 million vulnerable people across West and Central Africa, as part of a broader $33 billion global humanitarian appeal.
Without immediate funding, millions of families in countries including Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of Congo face worsening hunger, displacement, and security risks, warns Charles Bernimolin, Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) for West and Central Africa.
The crisis in the region has intensified due to ongoing conflicts, violence, and environmental disasters, which continue to displace families and disrupt access to essential services. In 2026, an estimated 42 million people across the region will require urgent assistance to survive.
escalating insecurity in the Sahel and lake Chad basin
The humanitarian situation is particularly severe in the Central Sahel—spanning Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—where instability has spilled over into neighboring countries like Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Mauritania. Meanwhile, conflict in the Lake Chad Basin and the war in Sudan have further fueled displacement, leaving 12.7 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 3.7 million refugees and asylum seekers in the region.
Women and children, who make up the majority of those displaced, face heightened risks, including gender-based violence, exploitation, and survival sex. Climate change has compounded these challenges, with extreme weather events in 2025—such as heavy rains and floods—affecting over 2 million people across 12 countries. These disasters have destroyed crops, damaged homes, and cut off access to schools and healthcare, with the Democratic Republic of Congo being particularly hard-hit, reporting over 830,000 affected individuals.
devastating impact of funding shortages
Despite generous donor contributions in 2025, the region has faced a severe funding shortfall. Of the $7.8 billion requested, only 24% ($1.8 billion) was received, forcing humanitarian organizations to scale back critical aid programs.
These cuts have had dire consequences. In the Central African Republic, for example, cash assistance to vulnerable families plummeted by 75%, leaving many unable to meet basic needs. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, 85% of people targeted for shelter support received no aid, despite massive displacement caused by conflict.
The UN and partners remain committed to providing life-saving assistance to those in need. By the end of 2025, humanitarian workers had reached 19 million people across West and Central Africa with at least one form of support. However, millions more remain beyond reach due to insufficient funding.