Photo: Ashraf Shazly, AFP Photo

African countries top list of neglected crises

Tiril Skarstein|Published 31. May 2017
Central African Republic tops the Norwegian Refugee Council's yearly list of the world's ten most neglected displacement crises, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

"The international community has not only forgotten these crises, but has never really shown sufficient willingness to contribute to a solution. Many of the displaced people have fled their homes multiple times, and each time they get increasingly vulnerable," said Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, Jan Egeland.

Countries topping NRC's list are characterised by insufficient economic support to meet the most basic humanitarian needs, limited media attention and lack of political will to solve the crises.

Last year, only 38% of the UN appeal for humanitarian assistance to Central African Republic was covered. The country also finds itself at the very bottom of the Human Development Index.

"One out of five Central Africans are displaced from their homes. Still, the displacement crisis rarely attracts any media attention, the funding to humanitarian assistance does not match the grave needs, and the violence in the country has been escalating further since the end of last year," said Egeland.

Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of the Congo are followed by Sudan, South Sudan, Nigeria, Yemen, Palestine, Ukraine, Myanmar and Somalia, according to NRC's list.

"The five displacement crises topping this year's list are all unfolding in Africa, and in areas that are already prone to poverty. Most of those who flee head to neighbouring countries or are displaced within their own country. The fact that most of these people do not turn up at our doorsteps, gives us no right to close our eyes to their suffering and does not remove our responsibility to assist," said Egeland.

"Economic support to alleviate humanitarian crises must be given based on needs, and not be subject to geopolitical interests. In addition, we need to work for long-term political solutions, which can lift countries out of a negative spiral of violence, war and poverty," he added.

Read more: The world's most neglected displacement crises 

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Download .pdf version of the 2016 list