Beirut: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has unveiled its annual Emergency Watchlist, highlighting the 20 countries most at risk of escalating humanitarian crises in 2026. Among these, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen stand out, underscoring the severe impact of what the IRC terms the 'New World Disorder.'
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, this alarming situation arises amid a backdrop of more active wars than any time since World War II. Currently, 239 million people require humanitarian assistance, and over 117 million face forced displacement. Despite only hosting 12% of the global population, Watchlist countries represent 89% of those in humanitarian need and are expected to account for more than half of the world's extreme poor by 2029. Alarmingly, global humanitarian aid funding has been slashed by 50% in the past year.
The Middle East's representation on this year's Watchlist paints a grim picture. In Gaza, promised aid levels remain unfulfilled, exacerbating challenges as winter approaches. Lebanon teeters on the brink of renewed conflict, with 80% of its population grappling with poverty. Yemen confronts unprecedented hunger and underfunding, while the fragile peace risks unraveling. Despite hopes following the fall of Assad's government, Syria remains in a precarious state, with nearly 17 million people reliant on humanitarian support.
David Miliband, President and CEO of the IRC, emphasized that the global response to these crises is not merely inadequate but is actively perpetuating them. He warned that without decisive action, 2026 could become the most perilous year on record.
Mark Kaye, IRC's Regional Policy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, highlighted the escalating needs across the region, citing the failure of aid to reach Gaza, significant cuts to Yemen's humanitarian assistance, and the ongoing struggles in Syria. Kaye expressed hope, noting that the IRC's global efforts demonstrate the potential to counteract the 'New World Disorder.' The IRC's Watchlist outlines a practical agenda for addressing these crises, calling for renewed diplomacy, civilian protection, accountability, and a more responsive aid system.