Global Migration Agency Seeks £134 Million to Help 22 Million People in Crisis
Nairobi, 16 January 2026
The International Organisation for Migration requires $2.5 billion to assist 22.7 million displaced people across 32 countries in 2026, with Sudan receiving priority focus where one in three people has been displaced by conflict.
Sudan Crisis Dominates Funding Priorities
The organisation’s 2026 Crisis Response Plans, announced on 16 January 2026, prioritise Sudan as the most urgent humanitarian crisis requiring immediate attention [1]. In Sudan, nearly one in three people has been displaced, either internally or across borders, since the outbreak of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces [1]. The IOM seeks $170 million specifically to assist 1.3 million people affected by this war, working with partners to address the most urgent humanitarian needs while strengthening resilience among displaced and returning populations [1]. This represents a focused approach to supporting local actors and institutions, investing in their capacity to deliver quality assistance for a more sustainable, locally-led response [1].
Strategic Resource Allocation Amid Rising Global Needs
The $2.5 billion funding requirement represents a reduction compared to previous years, though this does not reflect a reduction in humanitarian needs [1]. Instead, the organisation has prioritised limited resources to focus on the most severe crises, the most vulnerable populations, and interventions most likely to save lives and stabilise communities [1]. This strategic approach maintains flexibility to scale up operations as funding becomes available whilst ensuring maximum impact where needs are greatest [1]. The 32 prioritised country and regional plans outline evidence-based, people-centered responses designed to reach migrants, internally displaced persons, and host communities with life-saving assistance and resilience-building interventions [1].
Broader Regional Challenges Across Crisis-Affected Areas
The humanitarian landscape extends beyond Sudan, with multiple regions experiencing significant displacement challenges. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, over one million people were already displaced before recent advances by M23 rebels in South Kivu province [7]. The broader Central and West Africa region has seen 716,473 people affected by flooding across eight countries including Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, and Togo during the 2024 rainy season, resulting in 72 deaths and 699 injuries [6]. These concurrent crises demonstrate the scale of humanitarian challenges facing the international community in 2026 [6].
Mental Health Support for Humanitarian Workers
Recognising the human cost of humanitarian work, the IOM has implemented mental health support programmes for staff operating in crisis zones. In Haiti, where humanitarian emergencies are frequent, the organisation created a Staff Counsellor position on 15 January 2026 to support humanitarian workers’ wellbeing [8]. This initiative addresses the reality that mental health care remains stigmatised and underfunded, with only 27 psychiatrists serving the entire country according to a World Health Organization study conducted after the 2010 earthquake, with 80% working in the private sector [8]. The programme includes wellbeing sessions, seminars on suicide prevention, resilience under stress, and coping with uncertainty, emphasising that mental wellbeing is essential for maintaining effective humanitarian responses [8].