OCHA African Union Liaison Office (AULO)

• Africa remains the epicentre of some of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, driven by conflict, climate shocks, economic fragility and large-scale displacement. The continent accounts for roughly 40 per cent of global humanitarian needs.

• Sudan remains the world’s largest humanitarian crisis—a human made catastrophe—alongside protracted emergencies in the DR Congo, the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. South Sudan remains a severe but overlooked crisis. Escalating violence and rising sexual violence in the DR Congo are worsening needs, while insecurity across the Sahel continues to drive displacement and deepen vulnerabilities.

• Millions across the continent face acute food insecurity, displacement and limited access to basic services, while recurrent droughts, floods and cyclones continue to erode livelihoods. Africa’s climate crisis is both a humanitarian emergency and a development challenge, but also an opportunity to strengthen resilience and support sustainable growth.

• Health emergencies are increasingly driven by the combined impacts of conflict, displacement, climatic shocks and weakened health systems, straining already fragile services.

• Civilians continue to bear the unnecessary burden of armed conflict and violence. An immediate end to all attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers is critical, alongside stronger adherence to International Humanitarian Law to ensure their protection.

• Prevention of and accountability for conflict-related sexual violence is essential. Without justice for survivors and consequences for perpetrators, emergency responses alone cannot break the recurring cycle of violence.

• Looking ahead, 2026 will require scaled up resources, unhindered humanitarian access and coordinated assistance to reach people in conflict and disaster affected areas and prevent further deterioration of conditions.