The on-going conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have caused and continue to cause internal and external displacement of populations. In 2017, some 100,000 Congolese fled to neighbouring countries as refugees, due to widespread militia activities, unrest and violence, joining the 585,000 already in exile. The security conditions in DRC, especially in the eastern and central parts have continued to worsen since the beginning of 2018. Because of this, the Congolese refugee population is now among the ten largest in the world. Nearly 55 per cent are children, many crossing borders unaccompanied or separated. Existing camps and sites in many asylum countries are saturated, and available basic services are stretched to the limit. The situation requires support, adequate resources and collaboration so that effective protection and assistance can be delivered efficiently to Congolese refugees.

Highlighting statelessness in the 12 Member States of the ICGLR, and what is being done to eradicate it. Media coverage, testimonies of stateless persons, reports on the issue and all documents pertaining to the Brazzaville Declaration process can be consulted in English, French, Portuguese and Arabic.

Since the start of the conflict in Sudan in mid-April, large numbers of civilians have been forced to flee, including people who were already internally displaced and refugees from other countries who had sought safety in Sudan. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled into neighbouring countries or returned home in adverse circumstances – notably to the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan. Others self-relocated within Sudan.

With ongoing crises in the Central African Republic (CAR), Mali, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as well as increased insecurity in Burkina Faso, approximately 14 million people are internally displaced across the region. In this challenging context, UNHCR will assume its leadership role across the three clusters, provide direct assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs), ensure that protection remains at the center of the multi-stakeholder humanitarian response, and work towards solutions in coordination with all partners, including key development actors. “The West and Central Africa region faces multiple humanitarian and development challenges. However, this has not prevented its governments and people from showing solidarity with over 21 million asylum seekers, refugees, and internally displaced persons. To ensure sustainability, this solidarity needs to be supported by adequate funding,” said Mr. Abdouraouf Gnon Konde, Regional Bureau Director.

The dire crisis in the Central African Republic continues to trigger massive forced displacement, increasing pressure on resources and living conditions in host communities and countries. Intense militia activity and inter-community violence hampers humanitarian access and exposes civilians to serious protection risks. According to OCHA, CAR remains the country with the highest humanitarian needs per capita, with 50 per cent of the population having to rely on humanitarian assistance to survive, while 25 per cent is displaced either internally or in a neighbouring country.