North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, After a year in an IDP site in Goma, Buholo—a 53-year-old, mother of eight children—returned to her home in Masisi. Now, she prepares cassava roots outside her home as she works to rebuild her life. Decades of armed conflict have decimated infrastructure and livelihoods in the eastern DRC.

North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo

After a year in an IDP site in Goma, Buholo—a 53-year-old, mother of eight children—returned to her home in Masisi. Now, she prepares cassava roots outside her home as she works to rebuild her life. Decades of armed conflict have decimated infrastructure and livelihoods in the eastern DRC. UNOCHA/Wassy Kambale

Global Humanitarian Overview 2026

Published on 8 December 2025
Keywords 2026
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The Global Humanitarian Overview is an annual assessment of global humanitarian needs and how to respond to them. This document provides an analysis of the drivers of needs and an overview of the resources required to support people targeted for assistance. It also provides an account of the humanitarian system’s collective achievements.

People in need at launch (Dec. 2025)

239 million

People targeted at launch (Dec. 2025)

135 million

Requirements (US$) at launch (Dec. 2025)

$33 billion

People prioritized at launch (Dec. 2025)

87 million

Prioritized requirements (US$) at launch (Dec. 2025)

$23 billion

Overview

North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, After a year in an IDP site in Goma, Buholo—a 53-year-old, mother of eight children—returned to her home in Masisi. Now, she prepares cassava roots outside her home as she works to rebuild her life. Decades of armed conflict have decimated infrastructure and livelihoods in the eastern DRC.

At a glance

2026,

Conflict,

Climate Change,

Financing,

Funding,

Needs Analysis

8 December 2025

Port-au-Prince, Haiti, The Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, visited the youth centre of the Organization of Hearts for Change for Impoverished Children, where he met with young people affected or displaced by armed violence. The center provides practical and vocational training to more than 370 adolescents. Internal displacement doubled in Haiti from September 2024 to October 2025, and youth centres offer a safe space for youth.

Foreword by the Emergency Relief Coordinator

World,

2026,

Financing,

Conflict,

Accountability to Affected People

8 December 2025

Trends in crises and needs

Sheikh Ahmed, Syria, A woman stands in front of her home, where she returned to find her village destroyed and looted after years of displacement.

Trends in crises and needs: a world at breaking point

World,

2026,

Conflict,

Needs Analysis,

Climate Change,

Protection

8 December 2025

Response in 2026

Diffa, Niger, Young women in Boudouri, including internally displaced people, refugees and members of the host community, gather under a tree to have an exchange with the Minister of Population, Social Action and National Solidarity and the Humanitarian Country Team. Engagement with communities is a cornerstone of humanitarian action and it helps to drive an inclusive, quality response.

The 2026 Global Humanitarian Overview: a collective push to protect millions of lives

World,

2026,

Financing,

Funding,

Localization,

Accountability to Affected People,

Cash

8 December 2025

Bor South County, South Sudan, For five years, Qisma, her husband, and their five children have lived in Bor Town’s former displacement camp. With ongoing violence and insecurity, and limited livelihood opportunities, there is little hope of returning home.

GHO country plans: an interactive dashboard

Global,

2026,

Funding,

Inter-agency,

Needs Analysis

8 December 2025

Gaza, Occupied Palestinian Territory, In October 2025, the Emergency Relief Coordinator visited the Patient’s Friends Benevolent Society Hospital with Dr. Awallah, the Medical Director. The pediatric ward has severe shortages of essential supplies and critical equipment, such as ventilators and incubators.

Opening remarks by the Emergency Relief Coordinator at press conference

Global,

2026,

Inter-agency,

Needs Analysis,

Financing,

Funding,

Conflict

8 December 2025

Zhytomyr, Ukraine, Aid workers assist people arriving by the evacuation train from front-line areas, helping them access support and care in safer parts of Ukraine.

How to contribute

2026,

Funding

8 December 2025

2025 in review

Vakaga, Central African Republic, Intessar, a Sudanese refugee now in Korsi, lost everything, including her home, during the war. “All I still have is my life, but I lost so many members of my family,” she said. Underfunding means that people like Intessar may not get all the support they need: in the Central African Republic, more than 50 per cent of people who received assistance only received one-third of the expected aid.

Under fire and under pressure: what happens when humanitarian action is hindered

World,

2026,

Financing,

Access,

Food security,

Cash,

Protection,

Children,

Health

8 December 2025

Mafraq City, Jordan, Suna, a member of the UNHCR Protection Unit, builds a tower with Waleed, 10 years old, a Syrian refugee who is participating in the children's summer club. The summer club initiative provides child-friendly spaces for children of all nationalities aged between 6 and 13 years old. These friendly spaces offer mothers a place where they can take their children out to play, learn, engage with other community members and strengthen their developmental skills.

Humanitarians in action: delivering in 2025 amid extreme challenges

World,

2026,

Accountability to Affected People,

Protection,

Food security,

Education,

Health,

Emergency shelter,

Logistics

8 December 2025

Response plans

Vietnam, In 2025, Vietnam faced one of the most challenging typhoon seasons in decades.

Asia and the Pacific

Asia and the Pacific,

2026

8 December 2025

Kyiv, Ukraine, Multistory buildings were hit during an overnight attack, and several residents were killed and injured, including children. Basic services such as electricity, heating, and water supply have been disrupted.

Europe

Europe,

2026

8 December 2025

Westmoreland Parish, Jamaica, In Watercress, 73-year-old James describes how Hurricane Melissa tore through his community, leaving families without adequate food, water, or building materials. A week after the storm, widespread wind and flood damage has isolated households, with more than 1.5 million people affected nationwide.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Latin America and the Caribbean,

2026

8 December 2025

Taalabaya, Lebanon , This primary healthcare centre  provides access to health services for vulnerable community members, refugees, and families.

Middle East and North Africa

Middle East and North Africa,

2026

8 December 2025

Malakal, South Sudan, Deborah fled her home in Pigi County, Jonglei State due to violence and floods. She stays with her family in a displacement site and gets by collecting firewood and selling it in the city’s market.

Southern and Eastern Africa

Southern and Eastern Africa,

2026

8 December 2025

Koulsé, Burkina Faso, People face relentless threats from floods and climate shocks, which destroy homes, wipe out crops and deepen food insecurity. For families there, survival depends on acting before disaster strikes.

West and Central Africa

West and Central Africa,

2026

8 December 2025

Mafraq City, Jordan, Waleed Khalid, 10, a Syrian refugee, was building Lego bricks at the children’s summer club. The initiative offers child-friendly spaces for kids aged 6–13 to play, learn, and connect, while giving mothers a safe place to support their children’s development.

Regional Refugee Response Plans

Regional plan,

2026,

Displacement

8 December 2025

Lima, Peru, Deivid, a 5-year-old Venezuelan child, played with toys and received health care during a community event in Santa Martín de Porres, where he and his mother are rebuilding their lives

Other plans

Other Plan,

2026

8 December 2025