Underfunded Emergency

The people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are experiencing one of the world's most complex and protracted humanitarian crises. In 2026, 18.5 million people in DRC require humanitarian assistance. The country also faces one of the world's most neglected displacement crises, with over 7.9 million women, children, and men forced to flee their homes. The humanitarian situation is marked by ongoing armed conflicts, massive displacement, climate shocks, and recurrent epidemics. Since May 2026, a rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak puts even more lives at risk across multiple provinces.

Although the overall humanitarian situation in Ethiopia has improved significantly over the past four years, millions of Ethiopians remain displaced due to conflict, insecurity, climate-related shocks (such as droughts and floods), and other natural disasters (such as earthquakes). Years of drought and conflict have left millions without enough food. Many lack access to water, medicine, food, and shelter, and fear for their lives. In September 2026, fragile peace in northern Ethiopia fractured into renewed violence when large-scale hostilities broke out between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the federal government, raising concerns about a potential resumption of full-scale civil war in northern Ethiopia.

South Sudan is in the midst of a dire humanitarian crisis driven by years of conflict, political instability and recurring violence. Although the 2018 peace agreement helped reduce large-scale fighting, violence has continued in parts of the country, and in 2026 South Sudan faces a serious risk of renewed nationwide conflict amid escalating political tensions and a worsening security situation. The crisis has left an estimated 9.9 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, while severe funding shortfalls are further exacerbating the situation.

Since the beginning of September 2026, ongoing hostilities in Yemen are forcing people to flee their homes, resulting in civilian casualties and putting already strained humanitarian operations under increasing pressure. This military escalation comes at a time when hunger, malnutrition, loss of resilience and collapsing humanitarian funding have already pushed millions of Yemenis deeper into crisis. A staggering 22.3 million people require humanitarian assistance and protection in 2026, with the most vulnerable and marginalized groups, including women and girls, facing the greatest risk.

Donating and paying attention are closely linked. Around the world, there are millions of people suffering, far from the limelight, hidden from the eyes of the global public. Many of these people are in urgent need of international support to survive. Forgotten crises are humanitarian emergencies that do not make the international headlines and do not attract enough political attention, so that the people affected receive no or insufficient aid.