West and Central Africa
West and Central Africa
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Regional overview
The West and Central Africa region hosts around 14.3 million forcibly displaced people. Political instability, new and protracted conflicts, and widespread insecurity are expected to continue driving displacement in the region in 2025.
The needs of displaced people are growing faster than the humanitarian response can expand, and are exacerbated by competition over resources due to climate change, poverty, and inflation across the region.
UNHCR's work in the region
Across the West and Central Africa region, UNHCR works to ensure that the displaced have access to services such as education and health care. We provide shelter, cash assistance and core relief items. We also safeguard access to protection and asylum, respond with life-saving assistance and work to reduce and prevent statelessness.
UNHCR focuses on better protection monitoring and responding to emergencies while seeking long-term solutions in partnership with development actors.
Seeking durable solutions for refugees and internally displaced persons remains a critical priority for UNHCR. We support refugees to start, continue or return to school, extending financial, material and technical support to improve access to education.
Population and financial overview
West and Central Africa
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.