The world is facing an unprecedented and escalating humanitarian crisis, with the number of people in need of aid reaching alarming levels. According to latest Global Humanitarian Assistance Report by Development Initiatives, the number of individuals requiring humanitarian assistance has surged from 324.3 million last year to a staggering 363.3 million this month. The confluence of factors such as conflict and climate change have exacerbated existing crises and created new ones. Afghanistan and Pakistan are amongst the top ten countries most in need of humanitarian aid.
Afghanistan has seen its humanitarian needs raise from 18.4 million people in 2021 to 29.2 million people as of August 2023, a staggering increase largely attributed to years of political and economic instability. Then, we, in Pakistan faced the unprecedented floods just last year that displaced millions of people and they are still in need of help. The situation demands urgent action on part of international community, especially from developed nations. A substantial increase in financial support is paramount to address the growing humanitarian needs. Developed nations should increase their contributions to global humanitarian funds, allowing for efficient allocation of resources where they are most needed. These funds could be utilised to provide essential services such as food, clean water, healthcare, and education to those affected by the crisis. Whilst the world should engage more deeply with Afghanistan to address its humanitarian crisis, the pledges made at Geneva conference for flood victims of Pakistan should be materialised at the earliest and be converted to loans to help the country better deal with the devastating impacts of floods.
The climate crisis is exacerbating humanitarian challenges in numerous ways, from triggering natural disasters to causing food and water shortages. Developed nations must lead the way in mitigating climate change and supporting the most vulnerable countries in adapting to its impacts. Investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, and clean energy can help build resilience and reduce the vulnerability of communities to climate-related disasters.
