UN: 274 million worldwide to need humanitarian aid in 2022

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): As the global situation is worsening for many amid a health pandemic, a displacement pandemic, and worsening environmental conditions.

The United Nations said Thursday 1 in 29 people worldwide would be in need of humanitarian aid in 2022 due to the several issues ravaging the planet.

The UN cited the pandemic, climate change, and conflicts as the reason behind such aid, which it said were pushing more people to the brink of famine.

Climate change itself has been causing many catastrophes, including floods, mega-fires, health issues, and exacerbating displacement and poverty.

The agency declared that it wanted $41 billion to address the skyrocketing aid needs worldwide.

OCHA, the UN's humanitarian affairs agency, estimated that over 274 million people worldwide, around 1 in 29, would need some form of emergency assistance this coming year.

This would mark a 17% percent increase compared to last year's launch of the Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO) and a 250% increase since 2015 when one in 95 people needed assistance.

More than 1% of the world's population is displaced as extreme poverty is on the rise. Famine is raising many concerns as it threatens some 45 million people in 43 countries.

The GHO 2022 would include 37 response plans that would cover the needs of 63 countries, the UN said, and it will be launched today in Geneva.

"The climate crisis is hitting the world’s most vulnerable people first and worst. Protracted conflicts grind on, and instability has worsened in several parts of the world, notably Ethiopia, Myanmar, and Afghanistan," OCHA chief Martin Griffiths asserted.

"The pandemic is not over, and poor countries are deprived of vaccines. My goal is that this global appeal can go some way to restoring a glimmer of hope for millions of people who desperately need it," he continued.



/129