EAC region hosts millions displaced by conflict, disasters, UNHCR data shows

Credit: UNHCR

Countries in the East African Community are hosting millions of refugees, asylum-seekers and internally displaced people, according to UNHCR data as of July 31, 2026.

The data from the U.N. refugee agency’s Regional Bureau for Eastern and Southern Africa shows that displacement across the region is linked largely to conflict and natural disasters.

South Sudan is among the countries facing significant displacement. The country hosts about 2 million refugees and has about 658,000 internally displaced people, according to the data. It also recorded about 100,000 returnees in 2026.

Uganda hosts about 865,000 refugees, while Kenya hosts about 603,000. Rwanda has about 159,000 refugees, and Tanzania hosts about 134,000, the data shows.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia also continue to face large-scale internal displacement. The UNHCR data lists about 6.1 million internally displaced people in the DRC and 3.3 million in Somalia.

The regional refugee population includes people originating from South Sudan, the DRC, Sudan, Somalia, the Central African Republic, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Yemen.

UNHCR said the figures were compiled from information provided by governments, UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration. The report covers refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced people, returnees and stateless people in the region.

The figures underscore the continuing humanitarian needs facing countries across East Africa as governments and aid agencies respond to displacement caused by conflict and natural disasters.