Global update: 5 of the biggest
humanitarian crises to monitor in 2024
To say the least, 2024 has been a turbulent year, marked by a surge in violent coups, the escalating climate crisis fuelling conflicts, widespread diplomatic tensions, and wars. At the time of writing, the Global Conflict Tracker reported more than 30 significant global conflicts taking place. The situation is critical, with the European Commission projecting that around 300 million people will require some form of humanitarian assistance this year, a fourfold increase over the past decade.
Highlighting the severity, the International Rescue Committee’s Emergency Watchlist 2024 report notes a staggering 130% increase in the number of people in need in the 20 most conflict-affected countries over the last six years.
This alarming escalation forces us to reflect: How did we get here and, more importantly, how do we go about creating a better space for everyone? Humanity should surely be aiming to leave a more positive impact on the world so that many more of us are able to thrive and for longer?
Humanitarians, both public and private, play a critical role in taking action against these world crises
In the face of these challenges, there are always people working to affect positive change. Those people are the humanitarians, peacekeepers, medical professionals, drivers, pilots, security and logistics experts, engineers, construction workers and many more – people who perform critical roles in conflict-affected and vulnerable regions. They risk their lives to ensure those who need it most get as fair a chance as possible to live with dignity.
Below, you’ll read about five of the world’s biggest humanitarian crises to keep an eye on in 2024. In these regions, there is also hope that a semblance of normal life can survive. That can’t happen without responsible government and business supporting missions that allow humanitarian workers to act.
Organisations such as the Chelsea Group exist for this reason. Our goal is to drive positive impact, to contribute toward a more sustainable future, led by and serving local communities where they live.
5 of the world’s biggest humanitarian crises in 2024
1. Conflicts in Africa in 2024
2023 and 2024 have seen persistent hostilities and conflicts across North Africa, most notably in Libya, Egypt and Sudan. Africa’s humanitarian crises extend further in 2024, from Burkina Faso in the West, to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and East to the Horn of Africa countries, including: Sudan and South Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia. See a regional breakdown of African conflicts here.
CTG (Committed to Good) is a Humanitarian HR organisation actively engaged in these regions by recruiting, training, deploying, and managing staff to assist humanitarian and development missions with international agencies. With a workforce of 10,000 across 19 countries, CTG is committed to providing decent work opportunities, emphasising local capacity-building and women’s empowerment in its initiatives. As a business, CTG aligns its ambitions with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), particularly SDGs 5, 8 and 16. Learn more about the UN SDGs here.
2. European conflict in 2024
Two years later, Russia and the Ukraine are still at war. There are many agencies providing humanitarian support on the ground for the millions of displaced Ukrainians – many of whom are women, the elderly and children. There are a number of ways you can help the Ukraine, predominantly by donation if you have the means. Be sure to research the organisation carefully so your money goes where it is supposed to, and those who need the help genuinely receive it.
40% of Ukranians are in need of humanitarian assistance
Meet the people making a difference through their humanitarian work in Ukraine
3. The Middle East crisis
Amnesty International reports a “devastating escalation of violence” in the Middle East in 2024; while the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights calls North Africa and the Middle East the “most affected region” in terms of armed conflict in 2024 – with 45 armed conflicts surging in MENA while this list was written. In the Middle East, humanitarian crisis hotspots include Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine – where the land and population have been decimated. With humanitarian agencies facing massive obstacles in terms of entering these regions to supply medical and emergency aid, ground-level logistics and security solutions across a wide spectrum are essential. This covers everything from digital communications, aviation security details as well as help in setting up field offices and facilities.
Meet Assist360: specialises in medical and emergency response in high-risk regions
4. Global leadership in crisis in 2024
A crisis in policymaking, in diplomacy and human leadership has never been more evident than it is in 2024. In turn, humanitarian and sustainability action from private-sector businesses is an urgent need. The wealth divide globally has never been as wide as it is now, with more than half of global adults having less than $10 000 to their name. On the flip side of the inequality coin, 1% of adults are worth more than $1 million.
We need new ways to lead, to make decisions and create policies and economic environments that offer prosperity and peace to all global citizens. The Leadership Trust aims to do that by executing high impact, experiential leadership development to help transform individuals, teams and organisations to succeed in challenging and fast-changing environments.
5. The global water crisis
The term “global water crisis” describes the worldwide shortage of available and usable water resources.
According to water.org, 2.2 billion people around the world do not have access to water. That equates to a quarter of the planet’s population. And the United Nations forecasts that by 2025, around 1.8 billion people around the world will inhabit areas facing severe water shortages.
South Sudan has approximately 17.3 million people without access to clean water
Water scarcity as a humanitarian crisis in 2024, and the desperate call for water cooperation and water security for those most in need, is about more than providing clean, safe water to drink. Where people have decent access to water, disease isn’t as prevalent, as sanitation is equally important in the struggle to provide people with this fundamental human need. Education and entrepreneurial opportunities open up when people can access water. The ramifications are clear. We must restore human dignity; we must address the global water crisis now.
Chelsea Water is our way of supporting a more equitable access to clean, safe water in water-scarce regions. Specialising in rapidly deployable and flexible water systems, Chelsea Water’s solutions can be installed and managed in emergencies, and in unstable and remote contexts. Chelsea Water also provides water purification, brine treatment, desalination, reclamation and reuse services, to name a few.
Water scarcity: a personal issue with social consequences
As 2024 continues to unfold, the world faces escalating humanitarian crises that challenge us to respond with empathy, innovation, and resolve. The need for comprehensive and sustained action has never been more critical.
Stay updated with Chelsea Group’s activities in these critical areas in our newsroom and on social media.
