This year, 305 million people require humanitarian aid – a dramatic doubling since 2020, according to the UN. Although the news is dominated by the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, there are also other serious, prolonged crises taking place. Norway provides support for vulnerable people in Sudan, Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria and South Sudan, among other places.
”What is happening in the world right now is dramatic. As other donors reduce aid, it becomes even more important to ensure that Norwegian aid reaches those that need it most. Norway is therefore prioritising the protection of children, fight against hungerand protection from sexual and gender-based violence in its 2025 humanitarian aid budget, says” Head of Section Stine Horn.
The total humanitarian aid from Norway, excluding aid for Ukraine and neighbouring countries, amounts to NOK 6.4 billion in 2025. This includes core funding for the World Food Programme and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Norwegian funds are allocated to the humanitarian work of the UN, the Red Cross movement and Norwegian civil society organisations. Substantial parts of the funding were disbursed early in the year to meet urgent humanitarian needs. At the start of 2025, Norad allocated NOK 2.28 billion to 13 prioritised humanitarian crises where the population is heavily affected.
Major crises, limited attention
The increase in humanitarian needs is largely due to increased levels of conflict, economic decline and the consequences of climate change.
Sudan faces one of the most serious humanitarian crises in recent times, with more than 15 million people displaced and catastrophic famine on the rise. Following 14 years of conflict, more than 17 million people in Syria require assistance. Yemen, which has been affected by war for nearly a decade, continues to experience one of the worst famine catastrophes in the world.
Flexible and predictable funding
Norway continues to ensure predictable funding for humanitarian partners. This is crucial to enabling effective, local and sustainable solutions to meet the needs of people affected by crisis.
” We need flexible and predictable financing to enable our partners to work effectively, adapt their efforts based on needs and support local partners who often have better access to the most affected regions. “The goal is clear: save lives, relieve suffering and safeguard human dignity and rights during the most serious humanitarian crises”, says Stine Horn.
The countries and regions in receipt of funding are based on Norad’s humanitarian needs analysis. The scale of the crisis, including the number of people with humanitarian needs and the proportion of the country’s population who are affected, are some of the aspects of the analysis.
The following humanitarian crises receive support in 2025:
Syrian Arab Republic and Lebanon crises –NOK 405 million in aid
Syria continues to face a serious humanitarian crisis despite political developments in the country. Following more than a decade of conflict, 16.5 million people are currently in needof humanitarian assistance and millions are still displaced. Economic collapse, a lack of essential services and sporadic waves of violence create major challenges for the population. At the same time, humanitarian efforts have been challenged by a reduction in international funding. Many Syrians live under extreme conditions without access to food, water or healthcare.
Palestine: NOK 230 million in aid
Gaza faces a catastrophic humanitarian crisis due to intensive warfare and the prolonged blockade of emergency relief, which means that access to food, medication and other essential supplies is critical. Gaza’s entire population of approximately 2.1 million people are considered to have humanitarian needs and 1.6 million people are experiencing acute food insecurity, including nearly half a million facing catastrophic hunger. The health authorities in Gaza report that at least 57 people, primarily children and the elderly, have starved to death. Since 7 October 2023, more than 50,000 people have been killed, including nearly 16,000 children, and the entire population has been displaced. The destruction is devastating – 92 per cent of all residential properties have been damaged or destroyed and less than five per cent of agricultural land remains cultivatable. At the same time, there are growing humanitarian needs in the West Bank.
The Sudan crisis: NOK 161 million in aid
Sudan faces one of the most serious humanitarian crises of our time. Nearly 15 million people have been displaced following two years of conflict. Half the population requires humanitarian aid. Last year, famine was declared by the UN in the Zamzam refugee camp. Famine has since also been confirmed in other regions. Catastrophic famine is being exacerbated as a result of destroyed agricultural land and closed supply lines, which have made food prices unaffordable for millions. At the same time, humanitarian efforts are hampered by violence against aid workers and severe access restrictions to the most heavily affected regions. The need for international aid has never been greater.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo: NOK 145 million in aid
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing one of the world’s most neglected crises, with persistent conflict, especially in eastern parts of the country. Since January 2025, the M23 revolutionary army has increased its control of significant regions in the east of the country. Among other things, they have assumed control over Goma, which is traditionally a central hub for humanitarian organisations in the east. The humanitarian consequences have been catastrophic and 11 million people in the country now require humanitarian assistance. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been displaced. At the same time, M23 is hindering aid work and emergency food supplies. Civilians are experiencing an extremely vulnerable situation and there is a significant need for protection, particularly of women and girls against sexual and gender-based violence and grave violations against children.
The Horn of Africa: NOK 140 million in aid
The Horn of Africa is characterised by political instability, economic under-development and climate change. This results in conflict and chronic humanitarian crises. Many people have been displaced, both internally and across national borders. The migration route between the Horn of Africa and Yemen is one of the busiest and most dangerous routes in the world. There is a great need to protect civilians, including against sexual and gender-based violence. Lack of employment opportunities, worsening economic developments and displacement result in increasing rates of child marriages, child labour, and sexual exploitation and abuse. There are also substantial humanitarian needs relating to food insecurity and nutrition, access to healthcare, educationshelter and water and sanitation. Increasingly severe climate shocks, such as droughts and flooding, contribute to increased needs.
The Afghanistan crisis: NOK 129 million in aid
Afghanistan faces a serious humanitarian crisis, driven by economic collapse, climate change and restrictions on women’s rights. More than 23 million people require humanitarian assistance, and the population is at risk of experiencing catastrophic famine. Women and girls are particularly affected by restrictions that prevent them from accessing critical services, including education, healthcare and employment opportunities.
Myanmar: NOK 120 million in aid
Since the military coup in February 2021, the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar has rapidly worsened and led the country into a multidimensional crisis where 20 million people need humanitarian assistance. More than 3.5 million people have been internally displaced. The population are exposed to extensive human rights violations, with armed conflict characterised by ongoing attacks on civilians. Protection needs are vast and include threats such as random attacks, air strikes, forced recruitment, arbitrary detention, grave violations against children and sexual and gender-based violence, as well as injuries and fatalities from land mines and unexploded ordnance.
Yemen: NOK 111 million in aid
Yemen continues to encounter one of the most serious humanitarian crises in the world after ten years of conflict and economic collapse. More than 19.5 million people require emergency relief, and more than 4.5 million people have been displaced. Malnutrition is widespread and access to food, clean water and healthcare is extremely limited. At the same time, the humanitarian response is significantly underfunded while access remains restricted, making humanitarian efforts more difficult.
South Sudan: NOK 101 million in aid
South Sudan faces a serious humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by both internal conflicts and the consequences of the war in the neighbouring country of Sudan. More than nine million people require humanitarian assistance and the scarcity of food is a growing concern. The flow of refugees from Sudan has put pressure on the already weak infrastructure in the country and many refugees have limited opportunities to obtain access to necessary services and assistance. At the same time, South Sudan has also been characterised by prolonged political instability and natural disasters, making humanitarian efforts even more challenging.
Latin America: NOK 119 million in aid
Several Latin American countries are heavily affected by organised crime and gang violence, resulting in a protection crisis in the region. At the same time many countries are vulnerable to natural disasters. Combined with high levels of poverty, this has resulted in substantial humanitarian needs across the region, including in Colombia, Venezuela, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. Millions of people have been displaced in the region, and many have extremely limited access to essential services and protection.
The Lake Chad region: NOK 117 million in aid
The Lake Chad region comprises areas of Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria bordering Lake Chad. Lake Chad have significant humanitarian needs and are also a complex operating environment for humanitarian actors due to the conflict dynamics that affect the region. The epicentre of the conflict is situated in Nigeria, where Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are based.However, the conflict extends into the neighbouring countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger. Civilians in the affected areas have substantial humanitarian and protection needs.
Sahel: NOK 105 million in aid
The situation in the Sahel region has worsened significantly in recent years as a result of several military coups, geopolitical rivalry and complex security challenges. Civilians are hard hit by violent extremism and the effects of climate change. High levels of conflict between government and non-state armed groups have led to a large proportion of people being displaced from their homes. The security situation, combined with administrative restrictions from the de-facto authorities, contribute to restricting humanitarian access. Over the past year, there has also been a significant influx of refugees from Sudan arriving in Chad.
Mozambique: NOK 60 million in aid
Mozambique is suffering multiple crises. Since 2017, northern Mozambique (Cabo Delgado) has been characterised by armed conflict. economic and political marginalisation. Armed groups in Cabo Delgado are affiliated with ISIL and ISIL routinely assumes responsibility for attacks. As of April 2024, the conflict has resulted in 800,000 people being internally displaced, more than 4000 being killed and significant humanitarian needs. Currenlty some 600,000 people remain displaced. At the same time, the situation in Cabo Delgado affects the country as a whole, with significant impacts on the economy and development opportunities.
