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Africa

  • African Union
A refugee helps put up a UNHCR tent in the Cameroon. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the largest recipient of UNHCR assistance.

© UNHCR/F.Noy

Sub-Saharan Africa hosts more than 26 per cent of the world’s refugee population.

Over 18 million people in this region are of concern to UNHCR. That number has soared in recent years, partly due to ongoing crises in the Central African Republic (CAR), Nigeria and South Sudan. It has also grown as a result of new conflicts erupting in Burundi and Yemen.

Across Africa, we work tirelessly to ensure that the displaced have access to services such as education and health care. We also create safe school environments, improve camp security and provide lighting in public spaces to help reduce the risks of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). In 2015 alone, we established 12 new camps and expanded seven others due to continuing refugee emergencies.   

Browse country pages in this region:

More information on UNHCR activities in Africa on UNHCR Africa website.

DR Congo emergency

Planning for Africa: UNHCR latest Global Appeal

  • East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes
  • Southern Africa
  • West and Central Africa

Reporting for Africa: UNHCR latest Global Report

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