East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes
East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes
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Regional overview
Around 27 million internally displaced persons, refugees and asylum-seekers live in the East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region.
Millions have fled conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan. Heavy rains and severe flooding triggered by El Niño devastated several countries in 2024, impacting hundreds of thousands of refugees, IDPs and host community members, and causing additional displacement.
Across the region, UNHCR works to ensure that the displaced have access to services such as education and health care. We also safeguard access to protection and asylum, respond with life-saving assistance and work to reduce and prevent statelessness.
Ongoing emergencies in East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes
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Sudan emergency
Deadly conflict in Sudan has forced nearly 13 million people to flee their homes. As the violence continues to escalate, people are desperately seeking safety and protection, both inside Sudan and in bordering countries.
UNHCR's work in the region
UNHCR continues its strategic efforts to protect, assist and pursue durable solutions for affected populations in the region. Millions fled their homes due to conflict, climate-related events and political violence.
UNHCR collaborates with partners to promote the rights of forcibly displaced people and access to services and civil documentation. We support community structures in tackling child protection and gender-based violence, and promote refugees' and returnees' inclusion in national education plans.
We also provide cash assistance, helping to pay for energy, shelter, hygiene, livelihoods and repatriation.
Seeking durable solutions for refugees and internally displaced persons remains a critical priority for UNHCR, many of them facing additional challenges due to the effects of climate change.
Population and financial overview
East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes
Use the year selector to access information from previous years.
Populations
figures
figures
Note: The "Stateless" category does not include stateless people who are also in other categories, to avoid double counting. The total number of stateless, across all categories, is .
Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder.
Population by country
Population by country
Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder.
Population by origin
Population by origin
Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder.
Financial
Select Operation
Budget by Impact Areas
Budget by Impact Areas
Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.
Budget by Operation
Budget by Operation
Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.
total POC
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African Union
The African Union (AU) is one of UNHCR's most important partners and a leader in global efforts to resolve forced displacement, a significant challenge facing the continent.
Founded in 2001, the Union brings together 55 member states that join forces to address major political, social and economic issues, including preventing and ending conflict and promoting pan-African development and integration through its ambitious Agenda 2063.