There are about 12.7 million forcibly displaced and stateless people in West and Central Africa, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). This figure reflects a 48% increase since 2020, when the number stood at 8.6 million, underscoring a worsening forced displacement crisis.

"From conflict to climate shocks, protection risks are rising — particularly for women and children, who represent 80% of the the forcibly displaced," said Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde, the UNHCR's regional bureau director for West and Central Africa. Gnon-Konde said the UN's data also showed that displaced people are "returning home in increasing numbers where conditions allow."

Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Cameroon are home to more than 80% of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the region. Drought, flooding, and chronic violence and insecurity have forced people to seek shelter in other regions within their countries.

According to the United Nations, over 1 million citizens of the Central African Republic (CAR) were forcibly displaced as of April 30, 2025. That figure, however, stands at 150,000 fewer than during the same period in........

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