In fresh years, the map of global crises has become dangerously thick: full-scale war in Ukraine, armed action and blockades in the Gaza Strip, devastating war in Sudan, and dozens of “silent” conflicts from the Sahel to Latin America make evidence humanitarian needs.
The following review summarises the most crucial themes: background and dynamics of fighting, the scale of demolition and displacement of the population and the needs required by humanitarian aid and the global community (food, water, adequate sanitation, shelter, health, protection). In the following parts, we discuss the 3 biggest outbreaks – Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan – and then remind of another frequently overlooked crises, including Africa (Sahel, DR Congo, Somalia, Ethiopia) and Mexico, where cartel force has consequences akin to armed conflicts.
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022, led to 1 of the largest humanitarian disasters in Europe since planet War II. The battles include both front lines and rocket and drone attacks on cities and civilian infrastructure across the country.
In 2025, although the front is stabilized in many places, the lives of millions of civilians are inactive under the shadow of anti-aircraft alarms, shellings and power outages. The scale of needs remains dramatic: around 12.7 million people inactive request humanitarian assistance (OCHA – United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs – United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid, 2025), including hundreds of thousands of children surviving in front regions. Around 3.7 million internally displaced people are inside the country, and 6.8–6.9 million refugees (UNHCR – United Nations advanced Commissioner for Refugees – Office of the United Nations advanced Commissioner for Refugees, 2025). Winter 2024/25 brought another wave of attacks on energy infrastructure, which deepened the electricity and heating supply crisis.
One of the biggest long-term threats remains to mine the land, with more than 23% of the country’s land area being estimated to be covered, preventing the return of the population and rebuilding the economy.
The conflict in the Gaza Strip reentered the escalation phase after October 2023 erstwhile Hamas attacks on Israel led to a massive Israeli offensive. Intensified bombings, land fighting and blocking access to food, water, fuel and medical assistance have caused unprecedented humanitarian disaster.
In 2025 the situation remains dramatic — almost the full population of the Gaza Strip (approximately 2.2 million people) requires humanitarian assistance (OCHA, 2025), and over 1.9 million people are internally displaced (UNRWA – United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the close East – United Nations Agency for the Assistance of Palestinian Refugees in the mediate East, 2025). civilian infrastructure was severely damaged: thousands of homes, schools, medical facilities and water and sanitation systems were destroyed. In many areas, residents spend their days in makeshift shelters, with limited access to electricity and drinking water.
The situation has a peculiarly dramatic effect on children — hundreds of thousands have stopped learning, and many endure from malnutrition and traumatic war experiences. Providing assistance is hampered by restrictions on the entry of humanitarian convoys and global organisations call for a permanent ceasefire and safe supply corridors.
The war in Sudan, which broke out in April 2023 as a consequence of a clash between government forces and the Paramilitary fast Support Force (RSF), rapidly turned into 1 of the largest humanitarian crises in the world. Combats are concentrated in Khartoum, Darfur, Kordofan and another regions, but their effects are felt by the full country. The clashes, raids and sieges led to massive destruction, as well as human rights violations, including attacks on the civilian population.
By early 2025, more than 25 million people — more than half the Sudanese population — request urgent humanitarian assistance (OCHA, 2025). About 10 million people were forced to leave their homes, of which more than 2 million search refuge in neighbouring countries specified as Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan (UNHCR, 2025). By early 2025, more than 25 million people — more than half the Sudanese population — request urgent humanitarian assistance (OCHA, 2025). About 10 million people were forced to leave their homes, of which more than 2 million search refuge in neighbouring countries specified as Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan (UNHCR, 2025). Food, medicines and water are scarce in many places, and the demolition of agricultural fields and infrastructure is exacerbated by the hunger crisis.
Especially dramatic is the situation in Darfur, where mass force displacements, looting and arson of the village are reported. Aid measures are severely hampered due to insecurity and limited access to affected areas, and experts inform against the hazard of mass hunger if support is not importantly increased.
It is crucial to be aware that the influx of refugees from Sudan to South Sudan is being further burdened by the already inefficient aid system, a country that has been facing its own humanitarian crisis for years and an increased number of people in request of support are exacerbating problems. The Polish Humanitarian Action is active in South Sudan to improve access to water, food and wellness care for local communities and refugees.
In addition to the most media-wide wars, conflicts with little visibility but equally serious humanitarian consequences are taking place in many regions of the world. From Sub-Saharan Africa to Latin America, millions live in conditions of armed violence, forced displacement and chronic insecurity. Many of these crises do not receive adequate attention from the global community and are ignored in global discussions, which besides makes it hard to address them with effective humanitarian assistance.
Sahel – a increasing safety crisis
The Sahel region, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, has been struggling for years with the increasing activity of armed groups associated with Al-Qaeda and the alleged muslim State. In 2025, battles, bombings and kidnappings became everyday in many agrarian areas. More than 3.5 million people have been displaced and instability prevents cultivation and humanitarian aid. advanced levels of force against civilians and limited access to schools make a full generation of children hazard losing education.
Democratic Republic of the Congo – a crisis in the shadow of the world
In the east of RD Congo, peculiarly in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, there are fierce fights between government forces and various rebel groups, including M23. The conflict, besides driven by competition for access to rich natural materials, causes mass resettlement. Over 6.9 million Congolese people stay internally displaced (UNHCR, 2025), making this crisis 1 of the largest in the world. The deficiency of safety and infrastructure makes the provision of aid constantly difficult.
Somalia and Ethiopia – conflict and hunger
The situation in Somalia is affected by the activities of the Islamist organization Al-Shabaab and the effects of drought and floods that destruct the livelihoods of the population. Over 6.7 million people request humanitarian aid there. In Ethiopia, despite the formal end of the war in Tigraju in 2022, in respective regions – including Amhar and Oromia – clashes occur, which prevent full reconstruction and return to normality.
Mexico – The War of Drug Cartels
Although Mexico is not formally at war, the force associated with drug cartel activities reaches a level comparable to armed conflicts. Fighting to control smuggling routes leads to mass killings, kidnappings and displacements. In 2025, it is estimated that force forced hundreds of thousands of people to leave their homes, and full communities in regions specified as the state of Guerrero live in constant fear. Humanitarian organisations are increasingly covering these areas with their civilian protection programmes.
In summary, armed conflicts – both those present in regular media reports and those almost invisible – have a common denominator: they destruct the lives of millions of people and full communities. Their effects go far beyond combat, affecting the economy, health, education and stableness of full regions. That is why effective humanitarian aid requires constant commitment and solidarity across borders.
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