Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: The African Union (AU) has renewed its commitment to bolstering humanitarian assistance across Africa’s conflict-affected regions, pledging closer coordination and sustained relief for millions of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
During an Open Session on the Humanitarian Situation in Africa held today, senior officials from the AU Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs & Social Development (HHS) sounded the alarm over worsening conditions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Sudan, the Horn of Africa, and the Sahel.
H.E. Minata Samate Cessouma, the AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs & Social Development, described the scale of the crisis as unprecedented and called for stronger partnerships among governments, donors, and humanitarian agencies.
“Our member states face extraordinary challenges, and it is crucial that we come together to ensure that aid reaches those in dire need,” the Commissioner said.
Ambassador Churchill Ewumbue-Monono, Chair of the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC) Subcommittee on Refugees, underscored the need to protect humanitarian corridors and safeguard relief workers. He condemned persistent violations of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law, which he said were worsening the plight of vulnerable populations.
“Humanitarian access must be protected if we are to respond effectively. We cannot allow armed actors to turn civilians into hostages of conflict,” he noted.
The meeting also included briefings from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the World Food Programme (WFP), whose representatives detailed obstacles to delivering food, medicine, and protection to displaced communities. Many of the regions under discussion have seen sharp spikes in displacement due to protracted conflicts, insecurity, and climate shocks.
According to AU officials, the Union is prioritising not only emergency relief but also long-term solutions to the cycles of instability that fuel humanitarian emergencies. Efforts will focus on strengthening resilience, promoting peacebuilding, and supporting development initiatives to prevent recurring crises.
The African Union has urged member states and partners to sustain contributions and ensure that no community is left behind as the continent grapples with overlapping challenges of conflict, poverty, and displacement.
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