The Perfect Storm: Why Central and Western Africa Are Experiencing Record Displacement

“We are seeing that, overall, more and more people are on the move.” Luis de Freitas, leader of the regional data hub in Dakar for the IOM 

The UNHCR is reporting a record number of displaced people in Central and Western Africa. The figure currently stands at 12.7 million people, representing a 48% increase from 2020, driven by a combination of heightened conflict, climate-related disasters, and traditional migration trends, which have formed a perfect storm of displacement (Cai Nebe, 2025). The UNHCR’s regional director for Central and Western Africa, Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde, stated, “From conflict to climate shocks, protection risks are rising - particularly for women and children, who represent 80% of the forcibly displaced.” (UNHCR, 2025). This historic situation highlights a declining refugee situation in Africa that must influence change towards the current migration policies that are perpetuating these humanitarian disasters.  

Around 80% of the current internally displaced people (IDPs) in Western Africa come from three countries, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon, as a consequence of the aforementioned climate disasters and regional violence plaguing those regions. Moving to Central Africa, over 1 million people are being forcibly displaced in the Central African Republic, which accounts for one-third of the nation’s total population. With other nearby conflicts like the infamous civil war in Sudan creating over 12 million IDPs by itself, if one were to draw a line from Burkina Faso to Ethiopia, it would encompass over 40% of all the IDPs in the world (UNHCR, 2024). 

In the middle of all these conflicts is Chad, which is expected to host over a million refugees from Sudan alone by the end of the year while also providing refuge to displaced people from the Central African Republic and Nigeria (UNHCR, 2025). In comparison, South Africa only allowed 170,000 people temporary asylum in 2024, despite being a country that is much better equipped economically to handle an influx of refugees. Chad is almost at its breaking point, which is why the UNHCR is increasing its efforts to voluntarily resettle displaced people back into their home countries. The process has yielded beneficial results; however, with new funding cuts “severely impacting” the organisation’s operations, the UNHCR does not have the means to resolve this historic crisis on its own (Cai Nebe, 2025). 

As European nations increasingly inhibit immigration from Africa, migration routes out of the continent do not stop; they only become deadlier. Luis de Frietas, leader of the Dakar branch of the International Organisation for Migration, stated, “People move when they feel they have no other option, they will take routes that are less and less travelled” (Cai Nebe, 2025). Migration is a natural phenomenon that is more powerful than borders, barriers, deserts, and seas. Refugees encompass the most volatile and desperate populations on the planet, suggesting, for example, that they will stumble across the largest desert in the world for a mere chance of refuge, safety, or economic opportunity.  

The only real solution to the current displacement crisis in Western and Central Africa is regional peace and stability that can allow institutions and economies to grow and develop without being interrupted by violence or climate disasters. However, this is a tall task with no easy fix. Thankfully, other policies can help people on the move. One of these policies is circular migration. For example, Spain is adopting new policies that aim to increase the number of migrants it accepts per year while also making it easier for Senegalese to apply for work Visas. Most European countries have specific sectors of their economy that require more employees, like agriculture. Circular migration establishes a win-win scenario where the destination country benefits from labour in industries that are currently underutilised, and migrants gain improved economic and educational opportunities.  

The only reason an immigrant can be illegal is due to the institution that brands it as such. The only reason a person can be a refugee for years is due to a neighbour with closed doors and inadequate empathy. Institutions and borders do not cause migration and refugee issues, but they prolong it. These modern-day systems hinder the endemic natural phenomenon of migration, which is why a change in European and International policy is required to prevent the current displacement crisis in Africa from recurring in the future. As stated in Matthew 22:39, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”. Chad and Uganda are examples of countries that reflect this bible verse and do their best to assist refugees in Africa. Still, they simply do not have the means to help everyone, which is why more developed countries need to adjust their policies to prevent Africa’s current crises from worsening. 

Photo Credit - UNHCR

References 

Cai Nebe. (2025, June). UNHCR reports record displacement in West and Central Africa. Deutsche Welle. https://www.dw.com/en/unhcr-reports-record-displacement-in-west-and-central-africa/a-72957116 

UNHCR. (2025, June). UNHCR highlights forced displacement trends, protection risks and solutions in West. UNHCR. https://www.unhcr.org/africa/news/press-releases/unhcr-highlights-forced-displacement-trends-protection-risks-and-solutions-west 

UNHCR. (2024). Refugee and displacement data for South Africa (2024) [Data set]. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. https://www.unhcr.org/refugee-statistics/