On World Refugee Day, the focus shifts to a sobering crisis: African refugees are bearing the brunt of escalating global instability, deepening aid cuts, and increasingly closed borders.
By Aimée-Noël Mbiyozo – Daily Maverick
A Growing Humanitarian Emergency
Displacement across Africa has more than doubled since 2018, with 35.4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) recorded by the end of 2024. Ongoing conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo alone account for 45 percent of global internal displacements. In Sudan, over 14 million people have been forced from their homes, with 2.8 million fleeing across borders.
Aid is Shrinking as Needs Skyrocket
Global refugee response funding fell short by US$24 billion in 2024. Policy shifts in the United States and Europe have redirected attention and resources elsewhere. The U.S. has effectively halted refugee resettlement from several African nations, while the EU has diverted nearly 40 percent of its development aid toward border control and security interests. Meanwhile, eight of the world’s ten most underfunded humanitarian crises are in African countries, including Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Mali, Uganda, DRC, and Somalia.
Hardening Borders and Diminished Protections
Countries previously seen as safe havens have implemented tougher asylum laws, enhanced border security, and escalated deportations. Refugees hosted in already overstretched African nations face reduced food assistance, limited access to healthcare and education, and little chance of resettlement. These pressures are compounded for vulnerable populations, especially youth and persons with disabilities.
A Policy Wake-Up Call
This unfolding crisis exposes a failure of international commitment to refugee protection and human rights. The convergence of climate shocks, violent conflict, and policy retrenchment is leaving African refugees with nowhere to turn.
Addressing this crisis requires:
- Immediate restoration and scaling of humanitarian funding
- Reinstated resettlement pathways, particularly for high-risk populations
- Refugee policies that uphold international legal standards
- Inclusive responses that prioritise disability and youth protection
- Transparent accountability from donor governments and multilateral institutions
Conclusion As political priorities pivot inward in wealthier nations, Africa’s displaced populations are left increasingly vulnerable. Without decisive action, the gap between humanitarian need and global response will continue to grow—placing millions at risk and eroding decades of refugee rights progress.
