As end-of-year vibes fill South Asia and Southeast Asia—from festive lights to buzzing year-end plans—a stark reminder just dropped. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) released its 2026 Emergency Watchlist this week, and Sudan has claimed the top spot as the world’s most at-risk country for worsening humanitarian emergencies 🌍⚠️.
This marks the third year in a row that Sudan leads the list, with its conflict—fought between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces since 2023—creating what the IRC calls the largest humanitarian emergency ever recorded. Over 12 million people have been forced from their homes, facing extreme violence and loss.
David Miliband, IRC President and CEO, said, "What the IRC is seeing on the ground is not a tragic accident. The world is not simply failing to respond to crisis; actions and words are producing, prolonging, and rewarding the crisis."
The top ten also feature South Sudan, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, and Burkina Faso. On a broader scale, the 20 countries on the watchlist hold just 12% of the global population but account for 89% of those in humanitarian need—and they're set to host over half of the world’s extremely poor by 2029.
Other members in the 2026 watchlist include Myanmar, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Colombia, Syria, Ukraine, and Yemen. As global citizens, understanding these crises is a step toward empathy and action—whether through staying informed, sharing stories, or supporting relief efforts. So, between your chai breaks and TikTok scrolls, let’s spare a moment for the millions in need 🙏.
Reference(s):
Sudan tops International Rescue Committe’s humanitarian crises list
cgtn.com
