A new report by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has once again drawn global attention to the deepening humanitarian crises across Africa that continue to be ignored by the international community. The 2024 Most Neglected Crises report, released on Tuesday, reveals that African nations overwhelmingly dominate the list of the world’s most invisible emergencies where violence, displacement, and humanitarian need are growing, yet donor support and political attention remain painfully lacking.
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According to the report, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Mali, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Somalia were among the top 10 most neglected crises in the world. They were joined by Iran and Honduras, rounding out a list of countries where people face dire conditions amid inadequate aid, sparse media coverage, and a failure to resolve root causes of conflict.
“Millions of people are suffering in silence,” said NRC Secretary General Jan Egeland. “They are displaced, hungry, and vulnerable yet their stories rarely make headlines, and donor support continues to fall short.”
- Donor Fatigue: Prolonged conflicts and recurring disasters in these regions have caused a drop in financial support, as international donors redirect funds to more visible or politically urgent crises.
- Media Silence: The affected countries rarely capture sustained global media attention, further reducing public pressure on governments and aid agencies to respond.
- Political Inertia: In many of these crises, efforts to reach diplomatic solutions, prevent disasters, or mediate conflict have made little progress.
The report assessed 34 countries, all of which host more than 200,000 displaced people and are classified as being in severe humanitarian crisis. Despite this, funding shortfalls and global indifference have persisted.
In nations like Cameroon and Mozambique, years of armed conflict and natural disasters have displaced millions. In Burkina Faso and Mali, violence by armed groups continues to surge. Somalia andEthiopia are still reeling from the impact of climate shocks and conflict, while Uganda faces the strain of hosting large refugee populations with insufficient support.
The consequences of this neglect are grave. Many families are going without food, shelter, or medical care. Children are out of school. Entire communities are surviving without protection or basic services.
The NRC is urging governments, international organizations, and media outlets to shine a light on these emergencies. More than just funding, the report stresses the need for long-term solutions, including conflict resolution, investment in local resilience, and more inclusive diplomatic efforts.
“Neglect is not just a funding issue. It’s a failure of empathy, policy, and political will,” Egeland emphasized. “We must act now before even more lives are lost.”
As global attention continues to focus on crises in Ukraine, Gaza, and elsewhere, the NRC’s report is a sobering reminder of the millions suffering in forgotten corners of the world and the urgent need to give them the visibility and support they deserve.
