Seven Overlooked Humanitarian Crises Unfolding in 2025

Humanitarian crises in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have been identified as the most neglected emergencies of 2025, according to a survey conducted by various aid agencies. The report highlights a stark contrast between the scale of suffering in these regions and the international response.

In Sudan, ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which erupted from a power struggle in April 2023, has led to what is now regarded as the world’s largest displacement crisis. Approximately 12 million people have fled their homes due to the violence, which has been marked by severe human rights violations, including murder, child exploitation, and forced conscription.

The situation in the DRC is similarly dire, with about 7 million people displaced and 27 million facing hunger in this resource-rich nation. The conflict has intensified this year as Rwandan-backed M23 rebels seized significant territory in eastern Congo, despite a recent peace deal brokered by the United States. Reports from humanitarian organizations reveal that the crises in these regions have largely gone unnoticed, overshadowed by more prominent conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.

Emergencies in Africa

Other humanitarian crises have similarly been overlooked. In Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, violence has surged since the onset of an insurgency linked to the Islamic State in 2017. More than 1.3 million people are displaced due to ongoing attacks characterized by killings, abductions, and explosions. Humanitarian groups warn that aid efforts are collapsing due to fuel shortages, damaged infrastructure, and escalating insecurity.

Unni Krishnan, global humanitarian director for Plan International, stated, “They’re facing unimaginable horrors … including killing and maiming, rape and abduction.” The United Nations has issued an appeal for $352 million (€300 million), of which only 21 percent has been funded.

In Somalia, relentless climate disasters raise concerns of a catastrophic drought similar to the one experienced in 2022, which nearly pushed the country to famine. UNICEF reports that nearly 5 million people, including 3 million children, will require assistance due to climate shocks, ongoing conflict, and failing social protection systems. The number of individuals facing crisis-level food insecurity has increased to 4.4 million, exacerbated by rising child marriage rates as families struggle to survive.

Kenya is facing a rapidly worsening climate-driven hunger crisis, with drought conditions severely affecting arid and semi-arid regions. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) reports that water sources have dried up, leading to failed harvests and increased livestock losses. Jagan Chapagain, IFRC Secretary General, emphasized that “Kenya’s drought is happening in plain sight, yet it receives almost no attention and virtually none of the funding it desperately needs.” An IFRC appeal for approximately $19 million to support 300,000 people is currently less than 0.5 percent funded.

Crises Beyond the Headlines

In Afghanistan, humanitarian concerns have intensified, with Mercy Corps warning of a crisis involving a deteriorating water system and the forced return of over 1 million Afghans from Pakistan and Iran. Whitney Elmer, overseeing the global emergency response team at Mercy Corps, described the situation: “They are returning to extreme scarcity: no shelter, no income, no support – only uncertainty and hunger.”

In West Africa, the humanitarian crises in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger continue to escalate, with more than 3 million people displaced. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has noted that these regions have experienced catastrophic hunger levels for nearly a decade. Mali is among the six countries identified as most at risk of famine next year, according to the latest FAO report, which stresses that preventing famine is not only a moral obligation but also a strategic investment in peace and stability.

The situation for the Rohingya people remains critical, with over 1.1 million displaced individuals residing in camps in Bangladesh. Conditions in these camps have worsened, with food rations reduced and health facilities closing due to lack of funds. The ongoing violence in Myanmar has also led to increased arrivals of Rohingya refugees, further exacerbating the overcrowded conditions.

In Honduras, a complex crisis driven by climate change, poverty, and violence continues to deepen. Over half of Honduras’ 11 million people live below the poverty line, facing acute food insecurity exacerbated by droughts and crop failures. Deepmala Mahla, Chief Humanitarian Officer at Care, stated, “Honduras is confronting a deepening humanitarian emergency … that is growing more dire by the day, eroding the safety and stability of millions.”

As global attention remains divided, these humanitarian crises demand urgent action and funding. The international community must not overlook the suffering of those in these regions, as the consequences of inaction could be devastating for millions.