Millions of people depend on humanitarian aid in Central African Republic and Chad
Bangui, Central African Republic (PANA) - Conflicts, epidemics, and climate disasters: the shocks are piling up for the Central African Republic (CAR) and Chad.
These two Central African countries, together with the humanitarian community, launched appeals on Thursday for hundreds of millions of dollars to help millions of people in need, UN News reported.
The CAR government and the humanitarian community estimate they need $264.1 million to assist 1.3 million of the most vulnerable people, as part of the 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan.
Humanitarian assistance remains a lifeline for 2.3 million people, or 35% of the population.
“We call on the international community to renew its commitment to the people of the Central African Republic. International solidarity, now more than ever, cannot wait,” said Mohamed Ag Ayoya, Humanitarian Coordinator for the CAR.
Population movements, including the arrival of Sudanese refugees and the return of CAR refugees, are exacerbating needs in some localities, particularly in priority sectors identified by affected communities, namely water, hygiene and sanitation, food security and health.
In an international environment where funding is more scarce while needs are increasing, humanitarian actors in the Central African Republic have had to resort to hyper-prioritisation. This approach has made it possible to concentrate resources on the areas where vital needs are most acute, in case the expected minimum level of funding is not reached.
The funding required in 2026 – $264.1 million – represents the lowest level in the last seven years, an alarming sign given the scale of the needs. “I thank the donors who, despite the difficult times we are going through, have continued to support us in providing vital assistance to those who need it most,” said the Humanitarian Coordinator.
In 2025, $116.9 million—only 36% of the required funding—was mobilised, providing life-saving assistance to 887,000 of the most vulnerable people, or 50% of the target population. However, those receiving assistance received only minimal support due to insufficient resources.
“We are facing impossible choices. Reducing aid in the areas where the needs are most acute is a decision no one should have to make,” stressed Ag Ayoya. The funding cuts in 2025 have already severely impacted operational presence, with the closure of 116 humanitarian bases, including in areas with some of the highest levels of need.
In Chad, the 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan was also launched on Thursday in the capital, N'Djamena. This plan provides $986 million in funding, including $540 million specifically for refugees, and aims to assist 3.4 million people.
Chad continues to face one of the most serious humanitarian crises in the Sahel, exacerbated by conflict, massive population displacements, climate shocks, food insecurity, malnutrition and epidemics.
The country hosts more than 1.5 million refugees, as well as hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons and returnees.
The UN and its partners will focus their "efforts on the most affected regions, including the east of the country, the Lake Province and parts of the south", stressed the spokesperson for the Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, during a press briefing in New York.
-0- PANA MA 6Feb2026
