Map of countries on CAFOD's Emergency Watchlist 2026
The 2026 Global Humanitarian Overview estimates that 239 million people will need humanitarian assistance this year. Women are one of the most affected groups experiencing an increase in violence and are finding it harder to access life-saving services. At the same time, global aid cuts in 2025 are estimated to result in more than 14 million additional deaths over the next five years, including 4.5 million children under the age of five. These figures are stark, but they also underline how many lives can still be saved through timely, compassionate action.
Enclosed is CAFOD’s Every Second Counts Emergency Watchlist for 2026. It highlights countries where CAFOD is already working alongside local partners and communities responding to crises as they unfold, strengthening resilience, and preparing for what may come next.
Why these crises keep happening
Today’s emergencies are rarely caused by a single event. Instead, they are driven by a combination of factors that reinforce one another:
Conflict and violence, forcing families from their homes and destroying livelihoods.
Climate change, bringing more intense droughts, floods and extreme weather.
Economic collapse and rising food prices, leaving families unable to meet basic needs.
Political instability, limiting access to services and protection
Displacement, both within countries and across borders, stretching already fragile communities.
In countries such as Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Colombia, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Ukraine and across the Middle East, these pressures overlap, leaving millions living on the edge of survival.
Alongside the highly visible emergencies, this watchlist highlights forgotten crises where suffering continues with far less international attention.
Why your support matters
Through Every Second Counts, CAFOD can act at every stage of a crisis:
Before disaster strikes by helping communities prepare and reduce risk.
During emergencies, by responding quickly with support such as food, clean water, shelter, cash assistance, healthcare and protection.
After the headlines fade, by supporting recovery, restoring livelihoods and helping communities rebuild with dignity.
Your generosity gives CAFOD the flexibility to move fast when needs change, to stay present when crises become protracted, and to stand alongside people for the long term.
1. Afghanistan
Economic collapse, natural disasters and ongoing restrictions on women and girls continue to undermine families’ ability to survive and recover. Forced return of millions of refugees from Iran and Pakistan, means 17 million Afghans are facing food insecurity. CAFOD’s work in Afghanistan continues and in 2026 we will continue to support communities recovering from earthquakes, climate resilience projects for rural communities impacted by climate shock, and livelihood projects for women.
2. Colombia
Colombia faces a protracted humanitarian crisis driven by armed conflict, climate disasters and mass migration leading to forced displacement, loss of livelihood, food insecurity and protection risks (such as forced recruitment of children), among others. Many affected communities receive limited visibility and support, despite enduring long-term insecurity and vulnerability. In 2026, 10.4 million people in Colombia are projected to need humanitarian assistance, which many will not receive. We plan to engage partners in emergency preparedness as well as supporting emergency response, be it related to the armed conflict or climate catastrophes such as flooding.
3. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
The humanitarian situation in eastern DRC remains highly volatile, driven by ongoing conflict in North and South Kivu. The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group has made major territorial gains, following earlier captures of Goma and Bukavu, leading to heavy fighting, civilian deaths, and mass displacement. Despite diplomatic efforts, violence continues, raising regional escalation risks and severely limiting humanitarian access. Hundreds of thousands have been newly displaced, with millions facing food insecurity, disease, climate shocks, and lack of basic services. CAFOD supports humanitarian response alongside peacebuilding, governance, and the participation of women and young people.
4. Ethiopia
Ethiopia continues to face overlapping crises caused by conflict, drought, flooding and economic pressures. Large numbers of people remain displaced or food insecure, with communities struggling to recover from years of instability. Climate-related shocks are increasing in frequency, further undermining livelihoods. CAFOD partners support emergency response, recovery and resilience-building, helping communities prepare for and withstand future shocks.
5. Middle East
Across the Middle East, prolonged conflict and instability have left millions without safety, homes or reliable access to food, water and healthcare. Ongoing violence, displacement and economic collapse continue to deepen humanitarian needs, while the risk of further escalation remains high. CAFOD works with local partners to provide emergency assistance, protect vulnerable communities and support livelihoods and social cohesion in an increasingly fragile context. In 2026, CAFOD will continue to support our partners in Gaza where the crisis is deepening and where winter floods have devastated highly vulnerable communities.
6. Myanmar
The humanitarian crisis in Myanmar continues to worsen following the 2021 military coup and ongoing conflict between armed groups. Widespread displacement, restricted access to aid and economic collapse have left millions in urgent need of assistance. Vulnerable communities face food shortages, protection risks and limited access to healthcare and education all exacerbated by the earthquake that hit 28 March 2025. In 2026, CAFOD will continue to work closely with the Catholic church in Myanmar to support those most in need. Including people rebuild their homes and lives following the devastating earthquake last year, supporting those displaced by ongoing conflict and providing longer term support to help people build resilience to future disasters.
7. South Sudan
South Sudan remains one of the world’s most fragile humanitarian contexts, with conflict, economic instability, and flooding leaving millions food insecure and displaced, while the crisis in neighbouring Sudan adds further strain. CAFOD supports partners providing lifesaving aid and building resilience through distribution of seeds, tools, and cash; development of floating gardens and VSLA groups; business support for women and GBV survivors; and WASH interventions, including hygiene promotion, cholera response kits, and improved water access.
8. Sudan
The conflict in Sudan has created a vast humanitarian emergency, with millions of people displaced internally and across borders. The context remains volatile, with ongoing fighting causing new and secondary displacements. Widespread violence, hunger and the collapse of basic services have pushed families to the brink of survival, and needs are expected to remain extremely high. CAFOD continues to respond through partners, monitoring refugee movements into South Sudan, and in 2026 will focus on multi-purpose cash assistance, nutrition support for malnourished children and breastfeeding mothers, protection, and the provision of clean water and hygiene to prevent disease outbreaks.
9. Ukraine
Civilians in Ukraine continue to endure the long-term impacts of war, including displacement, trauma and damage to homes, infrastructure and livelihoods. While media attention may fluctuate, humanitarian and recovery needs remain significant. Looking ahead to 2026, CAFOD will continue supporting the organisational development and long-term sustainability of our partners, ensuring they can respond to community needs even after global attention moves on. Alongside this, we remain committed to delivering emergency assistance, mental health and psychosocial support to vulnerable households, and accompanying communities through the long process of recovery and rebuilding.
Every Second Counts Watchlist 2026
Please note that this is by no means an exhaustive list of the emergency response work CAFOD is currently doing or planning for 2026. We have also excluded some countries due to the high risk nature of the work and the protection of our partners and the communities remains our highest priority.
If you would like to hear more or to make a donation please do get in touch with Roisin on 020 7095 5676 or email ESC@cafod.org.uk.