Mid-December 2022, the International Rescue Committee published its annual Emergency Watchlist, identifying the 20 countries in the world most at risk to face a severe humanitarian crisis or a deterioration of an ongoing humanitarian crisis in 2023. Once again, our unique methodology based on 67 indicators and discussions with key stakeholders in the region, concluded that the situations in 5 West African countries are of high concern. Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria are all countries where conflict, climate change, and economic turmoil impact the lives of millions of people and limits their access to quality health, education, and protection services, food, and sometimes, even to benefit from humanitarian assistance. These countries need the world’s attention to help displaced and host populations survive, recover, and rebuild their lives. This report aims to dive into these contexts and unpack the accelerators of the humanitarian crisis to then better identify the guardrails that decision makers need to rebuild so people can move from harm to home.

Mi-décembre 2022, l'International Rescue Committee a publié son rapport annuel Emergency Watchlist, identifiant les 20 pays du monde les plus à risque de faire face à une crise humanitaire grave ou à une détérioration d'une crise humanitaire en cours en 2023. Une fois de plus, notre méthodologie unique basée sur 67 indicateurs et des discussions avec des acteurs clés dans la région, a conclu que les situations dans 5 pays d'Afrique de l'Ouest sont très préoccupantes. Le Burkina Faso, le Mali, le Niger, le Nigeria, et le Tchad, sont des pays où les conflits, le changement climatique et les troubles économiques ont un impact sur la vie de millions de personnes et limitent leur accès à des services de santé, d'éducation et de protection de qualité, à la nourriture et parfois même à l'aide humanitaire. Ces pays ont besoin de l'attention du monde entier pour aider les populations déplacées et les populations d'accueil à survivre, à se rétablir et à reconstruire leur vie.

Key findings regarding women’s sexual exploitation abuse across the conflict Tigray from IRC’s more comprehensive gender analysis report.

Between May 4th-12th, 2021 the International Rescue Committee (IRC) conducted a drought needs assessment in the provinces of Herat, Badghis, Pakitya, Helmand and Khost to get a clear understanding of the impact of the situation caused by the extreme weather conditions that have affected different parts of the world, including Afghanistan. A sample from 484 community members across the five provinces show that water resources are becoming increasingly scarce as result of slow onset drought conditions, with reported cases of increased conflict over water in various communities. Pastoralists have started experiencing loss of livestock and strain on pastoral livelihoods and this will worsen as food prices increase; it has already been reported that some households have not been able meet their food needs. Key findings include: -83% of 484 people interviewed are already experiencing displacement within their communities -75% respondents reported an increase in conflict arising in areas where water supplies have depleted -81% of participants with children under the age of 5 reported diarrhea and illness owing to a lack of clean water -Interviewees said that some families are being pushed towards extreme survival measures  such as selling off their assets,livestocks reducing the number of meals, and child marriage To prevent large-scale displacement, early response is required to support households faced with challenges of food security and livelihoods in form of cash-based assistance or food distributions. Livelihood support should also be prioritised to protect household assets including provision of livestock fodder and veterinary service. This drought assessment report did not include the other major humanitarian factors such as COVID-19, food security situation and conflict, which impact the lives of the Afghans as a whole.

"I am honored to be able to use my voice to help raise awareness and support for some of the world’s most vulnerable, the challenges they face, and their incredible resilience and determination to build a better future for themselves and for their families."—Danielle de Niese