We cannot afford to ‘forget’ these crises. When a conflict slips from the headlines, the political pressure for a ceasefire vanishes, and the funding that keeps people alive dries up. A life in Khartoum, Goma, or Naypyidaw is worth no less than a life in any other global capital. Turning our backs doesn’t make these problems go away; it merely ensures they will return to the global stage later, often in the form of total state collapse or regional contagion.
The 2026 Humanitarian Landscape: A Closer Look
- Sudan: The World’s Largest Displacement Crisis
The civil war has entered its third year with no sign of de-escalation. At the start of 2026, over 11 million people are estimated to have been forced from their homes. Warring parties are increasingly using ‘siege warfare’, cutting off entire cities from food and medicine. The lack of accountability has seen the proliferation of advanced drone warfare, further endangering civilians in areas once considered safe havens. - DR Congo: A Failure of Peace
In Eastern DRC, the collapse of recent regional peace initiatives has left a power vacuum filled by over 100 armed groups. The crisis is now a ‘double emergency’: extreme violence combined with one of the worst cholera outbreaks in a decade. It is estimated that one child is raped every 30 minutes in conflict zones—a statistic that demands a global response. - Myanmar: Resistance in the Shadows
The military junta has intensified its campaign of airstrikes against civilian populations. Following a destructive earthquake in 2025, the humanitarian situation has reached a breaking point. The junta continues to use aid as a weapon, blocking life-saving supplies to regions controlled by the resistance, leaving 18 million people in need. - Afghanistan: The Erased Crisis
The rights of women and girls have been almost entirely extinguished. Combined with an economic collapse and the lingering effects of multi-year droughts, over half the population faces acute hunger. The ‘forgotten’ status of Afghanistan has led to a 50% drop in international aid to the country since 2023. - Somalia: The Climate-Conflict Nexus
Somalia remains the frontline of the climate crisis, where extreme weather fuels recruitment for extremist groups like al-Shabaab. The withdrawal of international peacekeeping forces has left security in a precarious state, even as famine-like conditions return to rural areas, due to failed rainy seasons.
Why Your Action is Vital: 4 Compelling Reasons
- Challenging the “Aid Retreat”: The UK government has signalled a move toward cutting aid to 0.3% of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2027 to fund defence. We must argue that humanitarian aid is a tool for security. Cutting it further in 2026 is like removing a firebreak while the woods are still burning. As our economy improves, we must get closer to the UN-recommended 0.7% GNI, not further away.
- Ending Impunity: Silence is a green light for war crimes. By making these conflicts a political issue for MPs, we can strongly encourage the UK to use its seat on the UN Security Council to demand accountability for atrocities that are currently being ignored.
- Preventing Global Instability: History shows that ‘forgotten’ conflicts drive the mass migration and regional instability of tomorrow. Proactive diplomacy in 2026 is infinitely cheaper—and more humane—than reactive military intervention.
- Upholding the UN Charter: We believe in the ‘sovereignty of the individual’. If the international community only cares about conflicts that affect the global economy, it has abandoned the core principle of the United Nations.
Take Action
In an increasingly divided world, the UK’s choice to either lead or retreat will define our international reputation for a generation. We therefore, ask you to write to your local MP to asking them to not turn their backs on those conflicts that are swept under the carpet by the media.
What to ask your MP:
- Commit to the Forgotten Crisis Fund: Ask that the UK ring-fences a portion of the foreign aid budget specifically for under-reported emergencies where the UN appeal is less than 30% funded.
- Diplomatic Pressure on Myanmar & Sudan: Demand the UK lead a push for a global arms embargo on the warring factions in Sudan and the junta in Myanmar.
- The 2026 Future of Development Conference: The UK is set to host a major summit this year. Ask your MP to ensure that the agenda isn’t just about trade, but also about the survival and protection of the world’s most vulnerable people.
