Sudan Tops IRC Humanitarian Watchlist for Third Year

Sudan has topped an annual global watchlist of humanitarian crises for the third consecutive year, as a civil war that erupted nearly two years ago continues to displace millions and fuel widespread famine, according to a report released Tuesday by the International Rescue Committee.

The IRC's Emergency Watchlist identifies 20 countries facing heightened risks of deteriorating conditions in 2026, with Sudan ranked first due to escalating violence, restricted aid access and economic collapse. The occupied Palestinian territories placed second, followed by South Sudan, while the list also features Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Burkina Faso, Haiti, Lebanon, Ukraine, Syria and Yemen. These nations represent just 12 percent of the world's population but account for 89 percent of global humanitarian needs, including 117 million forcibly displaced people and 40 million facing severe hunger.

The IRC describes the situation as a "New World Disorder," characterized by intensifying conflicts driven by power struggles and profit motives, alongside a 50 percent drop in international funding that has left aid organizations unable to meet demands. In Sudan, the group points...