Tunisia — humanitarian situation

Tunisia continues to function primarily as a transit and host country rather than the epicenter of an acute crisis, with available reporting over the past two months showing no significant new conflict or disaster escalation within the country. Desert locust surveillance confirms the situation remains calm, with no locusts observed in Tunisia in September, following earlier isolated sightings in neighboring Algeria and Libya FAO. Seasonal forecasts indicate drier-than-normal conditions emerging across North Africa, including Tunisia, by December, which may bear watching for agricultural planning but is not reported as an active threat FAO. Tunisia's humanitarian relevance centers on its role hosting refugees and asylum-seekers and as a departure point for onward movement to Europe. As of the latest operational update, 7,515 refugees and asylum-seekers are registered with UNHCR in Tunisia, originating mainly from countries affected by armed conflict and widespread violence. This population includes individuals with critical protection needs, among them victims of torture, survivors of gender-based violence, and unaccompanied children UNHCR. UNHCR reports providing essential assistance to persons of concern and facilitating access to durable solutions, including resettlement and voluntary return. Tunisia also remains a key departure point along the Central Mediterranean route, with weekly UNHCR sea arrival updates to Italy tracking crossings; in August 2026, 2,995 people arrived in Italy by sea, most disembarking in Sicily (75%), with smaller shares in Sardinia, Abruzzo, Calabria, and other regions UNHCR. Separate UNHCR analysis highlights Sudanese nationals among those undertaking these routes toward Europe, reflecting the broader displacement crisis in Sudan, where over 11.4 million people have been displaced, including more than 4.5 million who have fled the country. On food security, Tunisia recorded an above-average wheat harvest in 2026 supported by favourable weather, resulting in a below-average wheat import requirement for the 2026/27 marketing year and eased annual food inflation as of July 2026 (