While it may seem like COVID 19 was the sole and biggest story of 2020, there have been many crises that haven’t had the attention they deserve. That’s why more needs to be done to raise awareness for them. Not only is the pandemic affecting the level of coverage these crises are getting, but humanitarian efforts have been affected too, due to travel and sanitary restrictions. Let’s take a look at some humanitarian crises that should get your attention in 2021.
Yemen
Yemen has been in the midst of a conflict between rebels who are opposed to the current government and a coalition led by the Saudis. This is the second year in a row that Yemen is at the top of the list of humanitarian crises. The conflict has affected the country at many levels, especially infrastructure, which makes it difficult to provide basic necessities to citizens. It’s estimated that around 80% of people in the country need aid with more than 1.2 million facing severe food insecurity.
Democratic Republic of Congo
The Congo has been in a state of conflict for over 30 years. Most of it is related to corruption surrounding the mining industry. Conflicts between army forces and various militias are common. Most of the fighting is taking place in Central and East DRC. It is estimated that around 17% of the people in the country need humanitarian aid with 15.6 million dealing with severe food insecurity.
Syria
The Syrian crisis is one of those issues that has gotten less visibility lately, but the country is still dealing with a deadly and complex civil war. It is the biggest displacement crisis on the planet, and it is estimated that about 65% of the population urgently needs humanitarian help
One of the biggest needs in the country is infrastructure. It has been estimated that the war destroyed 50% of all healthcare facilities and 50% of the sewage system is non-functional. Various refugee organizations are working to build sanitation and water infrastructure, but more still needs to be done. Over 12 million Syrians were displaced, with 6 million internally and 5.7 million in Europe and surrounding countries.
Nigeria
Conflict is currently raging in the north of Nigeria, which is very different from the more developed areas like Abuja and Lagos. It is estimated that around 7.7 million Nigerians need humanitarian aid, mainly in northern states like Yobe, Adamawa, and Borno.
The area has been dealing with attacks from Boko Haram, the infamous Islamic sect that is said to be affiliated with Al Qaeda, and its splinter faction, the ISWAP. These groups pose a threat to the military and various militia groups have taken arms against them. It is said that around 540,000 Nigerians are displaced in the country and over 40,000 have traveled north into Niger.
As you can see, the humanitarian world hasn’t stopped spinning and many regions are in great need right now. This is why it’s important now more than ever to pay attention and see how you could make a difference.
