On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) released its 2026 Emergency Watchlist, naming Sudan as the world’s most at-risk country for worsening humanitarian emergencies. This marks the third year in a row that the war-torn nation has topped the list.
Since fighting broke out in 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, more than 12 million people have been uprooted. Many face extreme violence, including rape, robbery and loss of loved ones. Aid workers are stretched to the limit as they try to deliver lifesaving help. 😔
The top five countries on the IRC’s Emergency Watchlist include:
- Sudan
- South Sudan
- Ethiopia
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Mali and Burkina Faso
Overall, the 20 countries on the watchlist represent just 12% of the global population but account for 89% of those in need of humanitarian aid. They are also projected to host over half of the world’s extreme poor by 2029. 📊
David Miliband, IRC President and CEO, warned that “the world is not simply failing to respond to crisis; actions and words are producing, prolonging, and rewarding the crisis.” He called Sudan’s emergency—the largest ever recorded—a “signature of this disorder” in global affairs.
Other countries on the 2026 watchlist include Myanmar, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Colombia, Syria, Ukraine and Yemen, all facing serious humanitarian challenges.
As the global community looks ahead to 2026, the IRC’s report is a stark reminder that urgent action is needed to support vulnerable populations and prevent further suffering. 🌍
Reference(s):
Sudan tops International Rescue Committe’s humanitarian crises list
cgtn.com
