With so many devastating crises persisting around the world today, organizations like Relief International are needed now more than ever.
In 2024, our dedicated global team will continue partnering with communities living through conflict, climate change and disaster to provide life-saving healthcare and build resilience, however more support is urgently needed.
Below, I break down three countries where Relief International currently works that are dealing with catastrophes, and why we must not forget these crises in 2024.
Afghanistan
Almost three years after the change in power in Afghanistan, more than two thirds of the country’s population (about 29 million people) are now in need of humanitarian assistance. Access to basic essentials and services such as safe water, food, healthcare, sanitation, and education has become more limited.
Recurring droughts and floods, as well as disasters like the earthquakes which struck in October, are making life for Afghan communities even more desperate. On top of this, close to half a million returning Afghans from Iran are now in need of critical support amidst the country’s harsh winter.
Relief International has been operating in Afghanistan since 2001. We are currently delivering health and nutrition services across nine provinces and 84 health facilities, as well as providing training to empower communities economically.
In most cases Relief International’s facilities are the community’s only option for healthcare, particularly in rural regions. Last month I witnessed first-hand how colleagues are providing essential services such as ambulances, surgery and antenatal support for mothers and newborns in the remote provinces of Nimroz and Panjshir.
We will continue to provide critical services in 2024, however the reduction in humanitarian funding for Afghanistan is deepening the suffering of communities even further and more support is desperately needed.
Sudan
As the conflict which started in April 2022 persists, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. More than 6.7 million people have been forced to flee within Sudan and to neighboring countries which are unable to cope. Basic services are severely constrained because of intermittent violence, and it is almost impossible to transport medical items and other supplies safely.
The number of suspected cholera cases is escalating, as are deaths from measles, malaria and dengue. At the same time, patients with existing conditions such as diabetes or cancer are really suffering without insulin and cancer medication.
On top of this, 31% of Sudan’s population are facing acute food insecurity which means their lives or livelihoods are in immediate danger. This is an increase of over 7 million people from the same period last year.
Relief International staff are continuing to deliver health and nutrition support in more than 40 clinics across North Darfur, Blue Nile and Al Jazira states wherever it is possible to do so. Amidst the violence, we have assessed over 80,000 patients in overwhelmed health facilities treating everything from serious injuries to infectious and non-infectious diseases, and severe malnutrition. We are also providing clean water and hand washing services for as many people as possible
In November we were able to deliver the first two lorries of aid to North Darfur since April. However this humanitarian crisis is severely underfunded and more life-saving supplies will urgently be needed in 2024.
Yemen
2024 marks 10 years since the civil war began in Yemen. Since then the country has spiralled into catastrophe. A decade on, one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises persists with no less than 21.6 million people require some form of humanitarian and protection assistance, over two thirds of the population!
The healthcare system has completely collapsed. Half of the population are at crisis and emergency levels of food insecurity, and an estimated 6.1 million people are just one step away from famine.
Currently, Relief International supports almost 50 health and nutrition facilities, and in many areas our locally run facilities are the only provider of healthcare. We operate the only hospital in the northern district of Harfis Sofyan which houses a neonatal intensive care unit, an operating room and general practitioners alongside paediatric and reproductive health services. Our mobile clinics also traverse the country’s rugged hillsides to support the most remote communities with essential healthcare.
As well as health services, we also provide food and cash transfers to as many people as possible.
Yemen is one of Relief International’s most extensive programs and in 2024, we will continue doing everything we can to support the Yemeni people. However funding cuts are making the unfathomable human suffering even more desperate.
Help us reach more people in 2024
Relief International has a global reputation for its work with communities impacted by conflict, climate change and disaster – for going where other organizations can’t or won’t to make sure the people facing crisis most keenly get access to the services they require.
None of the lifechanging programs we run would be possible without the supporters, donors and partner organizations we work with on a daily basis.
It is only with this support that we are able to continue partnering with communities to save lives, build greater resilience and promote long-term health and wellbeing in 2024 and beyond.
Sudan Crisis: How can we provide aid if our doctors and nurses cannot access food and water themselves?
+ Read more
Donate to Relief International
Communities around the world are facing crisis. RI is supporting them every step of the way.
Donate now to help us do it!