There are two types of humanitarian crises – natural disasters and armed conflicts. While there are some clear differences between these two types of emergencies, the immediacy of human need and the severity of human suffering resulting from both natural disasters and conflicts warrant rapid and coordinated global response. 

Natural disasters and armed conflicts are responsible for severe humanitarian crises around the world, claiming thousands of lives and forcing millions away from their homes each year. In total, there are nearly 50 million people displaced by war, human rights violations, natural and environmental disasters in over 50 countries. Their survival depends on emergency shelter, food, heath care, immunization, clean water and sanitation facilities, while education and economic opportunities enable their longer-term recovery. 

For an overview of current emergencies by country or up to the minute information on current emergencies, please visit ReliefWeb. 

Natural disasters:

Natural disasters include hydro-meteorological disasters (floods, wave surges, storms, droughts and heat waves and forest fires, landslides & avalanches), geophysical disasters (earthquakes & tsunamis and volcanic eruptions) and biological disasters (epidemics and insect infestations). 

In the last ten years, natural disasters have claimed the lives of close to 600,000 people and have cost more than US$670 billion.The 2004 tsunami alone killed more than 200,000 people. Rebuilding the areas devastated by the tsunami is expected to cost US $10 billion. 

A number of emerging trends suggest that the frequency of, and vulnerability to, such hazards has increased throughout the 20th century.Statistics on disaster occurence and impact are made available by the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. In addition to the increased frequency, disasters are causing greater levels of material damage and loss of life. The risks associated to disasters are exacerbated in poor countries with less developed infrastructures, high population densities, environmental degradation and inadequate preparedness. 

Armed conflicts:

In Africa alone, some 30 conflicts have claimed over seven million lives since the 1960s. For those who survive, life is often extremely difficult, especially when conflict is compounded by homelessness, hunger, disease and unemployment. Conflicts cause massive population movements, undermining lives and livelihoods. The number of persons displaced by conflicts and human rights violations is estimated at almost 25 million.

Cumulative effects of years of unrest deprive the population of basic services in a dozen of countries. In Congo (DRC) for instance, lawlessness, the breakdown of government services and the flight of professional expertise led to the almost total collapse of health and education systems in conflict zones. 

The most vulnerable groups of society (women, children, the elderly, disabled, displaced and refugees) suffer the greatest and are most dependent on the support of humanitarian and other actors to survive. 

Neglected Emergencies as a United Nations Priority 

While the response to the tsunami appeal was overwhelming (over 80% of requirements met), many of the world’s worst emergencies are often overlooked. In recent years, insufficient levels of resources have constituted a major obstacle to meeting all humanitarian requirements identified by emergency workers, especially in emergencies neglected by the media and donors. 

The UN prioritises neglected emergencies, working to remind the world that for each crisis that makes its way to the top of the media and international agenda, many more are overlooked. The UN consistently works to counter-balance this neglect and seeks equitable funding across emergencies and sectors. Current neglected emergencies include Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic , Somalia , Colombia and Uganda . 

In 2004, only 60% of humanitarian requirements presented in the UN appeals were funded. In 2005, UN agencies and their NGO partners (over 100 organizations) are seeking over US$ 3 billion for conflict-related emergencies in 15 major emergencies. Please consider contributing to an emergency that may not have enough funding for continued assistance from the humanitarian community. A Summary of requirements and donor contributions by affected country is updated daily by the UN Financial Tracking System.