The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) annually publishes a list of the world’s most neglected displacement crises, highlighting countries where millions are displaced and exposed to violence, famine, disease, and dispossession. Burkina Faso, for the second consecutive year, tops the list, followed by countries like Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, and others. Secretary-general of NRC, Jan Egeland, lamented the neglect of displaced people as the new normal, with local elites disregarding their suffering, and the world failing to act despite record-breaking statistics.
Internal displacement occurs when individuals are forced to flee their homes within their own country due to threats to their lives. The lack of resources available to these internally displaced persons means they often face inadequate shelters, food, water, medicine, hygiene facilities, and other necessities. Burkina Faso, one of the countries on the list, has become a hotspot for armed group violence, with thousands killed and hundreds of thousands displaced. The country’s government has struggled with security challenges, resulting in further displacement and an increase in deaths.
In Cameroon, violence stems from the suppression of Anglophone protests by the Francophone government, leading to a separatist conflict in the English-speaking regions. More than 6,000 people have been killed, with over a million internally displaced by the end of 2023. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has faced long-standing armed violence, contributing to the displacement of 6.9 million people, while Mali saw increased clashes following the withdrawal of a peacekeeping force, resulting in over 340,000 internally displaced individuals.
Niger experienced increased insecurity and displacement following a coup in 2023, as did Honduras due to violence, crime, climate shocks, poverty, and hunger. Similarly, South Sudan has seen ongoing conflict, economic decline, and natural disasters leading to the displacement of over four million individuals, including 2.2 million refugees. The Central African Republic continues to grapple with violence since 2013, displacing a significant portion of its population, while in Chad, over 600,000 people have fled ethnic attacks from neighboring countries.
Sudan is facing one of the largest internal displacement crises globally, with thousands killed and millions displaced due to a war between the army and paramilitary forces. Over eight million people are internally displaced, making it a significant concern. These neglected displacement crises require urgent attention and action to provide support and assistance to those affected by violence, conflict, and displacement. The international community needs to prioritize these crises to prevent further suffering and address the root causes of displacement in these countries.
