5 African Crises the World Can’t Ignore in 2022

Fragile states continue to pose a threat to people’s lives all across the world, including increasing displacement, food shortages, poverty, loss of human rights, and conflict. Most African countries top the crises watch list that is released annually for flagging conflicts that they expect to dominate the year ahead.

Many of these crises are putting the health of millions of children in danger, furthermore damaging their future.

Years of advancement are being undone, and in every country, insecurity, unrest, and uncertainty are growing. 

Let’s take a look at the five African countries ranking on the Norwegian Refugee Council, suffering from intense crises. 

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1. Somalia’s increasing political tension  

The escalating political tensions and the risk of both drought and renewed violence.

Due to the delays to the presidential election that was initially planned to take place in late 2020, conflicts with opposition groups broke out as President Mohamed Abdullahi “Farmajo” Mohamed’s mandate ended in early 2021.

With 2.9 million people forced from their homes due to this conflict and the effects of climate change, this African country now ranks among the five greatest internal displacement crises in the world.

As the number of people in need has increased from 5.9 million to 7.7 million, the United Nations predicts that the drought conditions will worsen over the course of the upcoming year.

2. The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s issue with conflicts and pandemics 

Armed group activities in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), such as violence and atrocities against civilian communities, continue to bring problems.

The humanitarian community estimates that over 27 million people in the DRC need humanitarian aid and that 5,5 million people have been displaced in 13 of the country’s 26 provinces. 

The constant emergence and reemergence of disease epidemics with intricate ties to population migration have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis and burdened the already underdeveloped health sector.

3. South Sudan’s oppression with political tension and climate change crisis

Eight years after obtaining independence, South Sudan ought to be a hopeful nation. Instead, a severe humanitarian crisis is currently gripping the region.

Economic hardships, drought, and political unrest have all contributed to widespread relocation, violent riots, and severe food shortages. Over seven million people — approximately two-thirds of the population — are in need of aid, including around 6.9 million people facing hunger.

4. Nigeria’s increasing insecurity crisis

In the northwestern states of Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara since January 2019, thousands of people have died or been injured. Others have lost their jobs, at least 23,000 people have been forced to move, and scores have been kidnapped for ransom, fostering a violent economy.

This insecurity has a number of causes. Unresolved disputes between farmer and herder groups over land use and water have developed into fatal confrontations involving sophisticated weapons. 

Over time, the government has been unable to resolve these growing local conflicts in a way that is both effective and long-lasting.

5. Ethiopia’s war and climate change crisis

Ethiopia is the second-most populated nation in Africa and its oldest independent state. In the previous ten years, the nation made significant advancements in the areas of education, health, food security, and economic expansion.

However, the country’s humanitarian situation has gotten worse due to a mix of armed conflict, climate shocks, disease outbreaks, and COVID-19’s socioeconomic effects. More than one-fifth of Ethiopia’s population will requires humanitarian aid.

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