Millions of Africans are displaced without crossing a border - and their needs are often overlooked
The article discusses the humanitarian crisis facing 31.7 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Africa, noting their increased vulnerability to disease outbreaks like Ebola and Mpox. It highlights that the majority of these displacements are caused by conflict and violence.
Why it matters
The intersection of internal displacement and public health crises creates significant challenges for humanitarian aid and disease containment in Africa.
There were around 31.7 million people living in internal displacement camps across Africa as of 2025. Wikimedia Commons Millions of Africans are displaced without crossing a border – and their needs are often overlooked Published: August 18, 2026 11:05am EDT https://theconversation.com/millions-of-africans-are-displaced-without-crossing-a-border-and-their-needs-are-often-overlooked-289499 https://theconversation.com/millions-of-africans-are-displaced-without-crossing-a-border-and-their-needs-are-often-overlooked-289499 Link copied Share article Share article
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The eruption of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo in May 2026 sparked a major crisis.
Transmissions and deaths are skyrocketing, and no vaccine is currently available .
This virus is notably prevalent in settlements and communities for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and communities. This happened too with the Mpox outbreak that started in the Congo in 2025 and spread to the rest of the world.
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