The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) uses a rigorous methodology to assess the most neglected displacement crises, based on several criteria.
As it does every year, NRC has published its report on the world’s ten most neglected displacement crises, noting an alarming deterioration in the humanitarian situation in several Sahel countries, notably Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
These countries, all members of the Sahel Alliance, are facing displacement crises exacerbated by protracted conflicts, climatic disasters and a lack of international funding.
For the first time, Niger enters the list of the world’s ten most neglected displacement crises at number five. This inclusion marks a significant deterioration in the humanitarian situation in the country.
The NRC report notes that following the coup in July 2023, development aid was largely suspended, exacerbating an already critical situation. The number of people in food crisis has doubled since 2022, reaching 2.3 million, while more than 335,000 people have been internally displaced.
As for Mali, which now ranks fourth after coming seventh last year, its situation is becoming even more complicated. In 2023, more than 340,000 people were internally displaced as a result of renewed fighting between the national army and non-state armed groups.
The violence, combined with the effects of climate change, has left 2.5 million people in need of urgent food assistance. Humanitarian funding for Mali reached only 31 percent of needs, exacerbating the crisis.
Burkina Faso retained its position as the world’s most neglected displacement crisis for the second year running.
The country recorded a record 707,000 new internal displacements in 2023, and media coverage has plummeted due to increasingly difficult access for journalists and humanitarian organisations.
The humanitarian crisis has worsened, with 3.6 million people without access to health care and 6.3 million in need of humanitarian assistance by 2024.
Other crises in Africa
In addition to Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, several other African countries appear on this list of neglected crises.
The Democratic Republic of Congo remains one of the most neglected crises for the eighth year running, with more than 6.9 million people displaced.
Cameroon, ranked second, is facing a triple crisis of internal conflict, growing insecurity and refugees from neighbouring countries.
The situation in Chad, ranked ninth, has been exacerbated by the influx of Sudanese refugees and severe weather conditions, the NRC report notes. Finally, the Central African Republic, ranked eighth, continues to suffer the consequences of a decade of conflict.
The NRC uses a rigorous methodology to assess the most neglected displacement crises, based on three main criteria: lack of international political will, lack of media attention and lack of humanitarian funding.
Each crisis is analysed against these criteria to determine its level of neglect and to draw attention to the urgent needs of the populations affected.
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