An IOM worker talks to a refugee family in South Sudan. International Organization for Migration requests $2.5 billion to respond to global crises Refugees and migrants
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) presented its Crisis Response Plans for the current year – a list of 32 priority country and regional projects.
The document was published as global humanitarian needs continue to grow and IOM resources are limited. The plans target 22.7 million people – migrants, refugees, internally displaced people and host communities. Implementing them will require $2.5 billion, reflecting the scale of current needs. In 2026, IOM had to clearly set priorities, focusing on the most urgent needs. The organization notes that although the $2.5 billion funding request is lower than in previous years, this does not mean a decrease in needs. Limited resources will be directed where the needs and potential impact of assistance are greatest: the worst crises, the most vulnerable populations, and the operations most likely to save lives and stabilize communities, while maintaining the flexibility to scale up assistance as funding becomes available. The scale of the current challenges is clear: in Sudan alone, nearly one in three people have been forced to flee their home since the start of conflict. In 2026, IOM aims to raise $170 million to help the 1.3 million Sudanese affected by the war. IOM prioritizes supporting local communities and institutions, investing in their capacity to deliver quality care and ensure a more sustainable, locally focused response. Across all 32 plans, a key pattern emerges: millions of lives depend on timely and predictable funding. The 2026 Crisis Response Plans translate global needs into concrete priorities, demonstrating how every dollar invested directly contributes to helping people in crisis with safety, dignity and a path to recovery.