Congo: UNICEF West and Central Africa Region Humanitarian Situation Report No. 2 (End of Year), 31 December 2025
Countries: Congo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo Source: UN Children's Fund Please refer to the attached file. Highlights The ongoing occurrence of public health emergencies including cholera, mpox, yellow fever, and measles has significant impact on the already fragile health and WASH systems across the region, including in the following countries: Republic of Congo: 808 cholera cases reported by mid-October 2025 (66 confirmed and 742 suspected). Sierra Leone: 5,442 reported Mpox cases. Liberia: 2,781 suspected and 1,497 confirmed Mpox cases; 34 confirmed cases of Lassa fever; and 55 suspected and 2 confirmed cases of yellow fever. Equatorial Guinea: 151 suspected measles cases, including 77 confirmed. Climate-related disasters, notably deadly floods, have led to population displacement, disrupted essential services, and loss of livelihoods, particularly in Guinea (59 deaths), São Tomé and Príncipe, and Senegal. SITUATION OVERVIEW & HUMANITARIAN NEEDS In 2025, the humanitarian landscape in West and Central Africa was characterised by the convergence of epidemics, climate vulnerability, conflict, political and institutional instability and insecurity, occurring simultaneously and significantly overstretching national systems. This combination heightened reliance on humanitarian action to sustain essential services. As a result of protracted conflicts, large-scale population displacement, public health emergencies, and recurrent climate shocks, more than 42 million children in the region required lifesaving assistance5 . Political instability was marked by a series of major political and security developments, including constitutional referendums and presidential elections in Gabon and Guinea, in the context of fragile transition periods. , as well as by a coup d’État that erupted in Guinea Bissau at the end of 2025. Meanwhile, the Republic of the Congo faced spillover effects from the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with nearly 31,000 Congolese refugees hosted on its territory. Heavy rainfall across the Sahel and West Africa caused major flooding in several countries, including Cabo Verde, Guinea, the Republic of Congo, Senegal, and Ghana, resulting in loss of life, injuries, and widespread damage to homes and livelihoods. Overall, 1.6 million people were affected across the region, with 732 reported deaths and the destruction of 146 schools and 89 health facilities6 . The impact was compounded by rapid and uncontrolled urbanization, and inadequate infrastructure. Major disease outbreaks persisted across the region, including cholera, measles, malaria, and mpox. Cholera remained a particular concern, with 80,000 children at high risk as outbreaks emerged across 12 countries in West and Central Africa at the onset of the rainy season. Ongoing conflict and displacement, climate-related shocks, and limited access to healthcare, water, and sanitation further accelerated the spread of disease. Stunting and malnutrition continued to pose a significant public health challenge in Gambia and Liberia (30 per cent of children under five suffering from stunting), rooted in persistent poverty, food insecurity, and fragile health and WASH systems. Humanitarian efforts continue amid a persistent funding shortfall, with only 27 per cent of the US 7.8 billion requested under the HRP for West and Central Africa secured8 . UNICEF $US 56 million Regional Humanitarian action for Children covering 10 countries9 was only 28 per cent funded limiting the opportunities to provide critical assistance to children and women in need in the region. This appeal was complemented by separate standalone and multi-country appeals for other emergency-affected countries.
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