Revealed: The world’s 10 most overlooked humanitarian crises, 2025

African nations are once again prominently featured in discussions surrounding the world’s most overlooked humanitarian crises, as highlighted by a recent study released this week by the CEOWORLD magazine in partnership with COSMOS Analytica Institute. The report identifies countries like Burkina Faso and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, among others, as facing significant challenges related to violence and displacement while simultaneously receiving limited attention from international donors.

According to the findings, the lack of assistance for millions of individuals enduring displacement and facing food insecurity or inadequate shelter can be attributed to factors such as donor fatigue, insufficient media coverage, and a lack of political resolution. The report categorizes countries in crisis as those hosting or having more than 200,000 displaced individuals and experiencing severe humanitarian emergencies.

The world is currently witnessing unprecedented levels of displacement. A combination of conflict, climate-related events, and political and economic instability is prompting more individuals to seek refuge than ever before.

It is important to recognize that many protracted crises are also neglected ones. From ongoing conflicts to environmental challenges, humanitarian situations across the globe are often met with decreasing financial support, limited media attention, and waning political commitment. The interplay of these factors not only heightens humanitarian needs but also contributes to the prolonged nature of these crises year after year. Cameroon, located in West-Central Africa, is noted as having the most pressing humanitarian situations globally.

The 10 most overlooked humanitarian crises in the world, 2025

1. Cameroon
   Population: 28.8 million
   People internally displaced: 1.1 million
   Refugees in Cameroon: 480,000
   People facing acute food insecurity: 2.8 million
2. Ethiopia
   Population: 128.7 million
   People internally displaced: 2.3 million
   Refugees in Ethiopia: 1 million
   People in need of humanitarian assistance: 21.4 million
3. Mozambique
   Population: 33.3 million
   People internally displaced: 600,000
   People suffering acute food insecurity: 2.8 million
4. Burkina Faso
   Population: 23.4 million
   People internally displaced: 2 million
   Refugees in Burkina Faso: 38,500
   Schools closed due to insecurity: 1 in 5
5. Mali
   Population: 23.8 million
   People internally displaced: 360,000
   Refugees in Mali: 135,000
   People in need of humanitarian assistance: 7 million
6. Uganda
   Population: 48.6 million
   Refugees in Uganda: 1.8 million
   People facing acute food insecurity: 797,000
   Food aid per refugee per month: US$ 3
7. Iran
   Population: 90.6 million
   Afghans living in Iran: 6 million
   Afghans returned from Iran to Afghanistan: 1.2 million
8. Democratic Republic of the Congo
   Population: 105.8 million
   People internally displaced: 6.2 million
   People in need of humanitarian assistance: 25 million
   Schools closed due to insecurity and overcrowding: 2,000
9. Honduras
   Population: 10.6 million
   People internally displaced: 100,000
   People impacted by Tropical Storm Sara: 250,000
   Refugees and migrants transited through Honduras: 375,000
10. Somalia
    Population: 19 million
    People internally displaced: 3.5 million
    People in need of humanitarian assistance: 7 million

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