Humanitarian situation in Palestine, 19 other countries to worsen next year: Report

By Dilara Hamit

An international aid and relief organization projects that the humanitarian situation in Palestine and 19 other countries will worsen next year.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in a report released on Wednesday identified Sudan as the country most vulnerable to humanitarian crises, followed by Palestine under Israeli attack and South Sudan.

Climate change, armed conflict, and increasing debt burdens will exacerbate humanitarian crises worldwide in 2024, the IRC report said, indicating the risk of worsening humanitarian crises in 20 countries, primarily in Africa.

These 20 countries include nine from Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as Myanmar, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Ukraine, Ecuador, and Haiti.

It emphasizes that these 20 countries, which make up 10% of the global population, account for 86% of global humanitarian aid needs. Moreover, 70% of displaced people are from these countries, according to the report.

"Violent and unconstitutional leadership transitions are increasing the risk of crisis. Five of the top 10 countries—Mali, Sudan, Niger, Burkina Faso and Myanmar—have experienced coups in the last three years. The resurgence in military coups—particularly in Africa—leads to insecurity and, in turn, humanitarian crisis," it pointed out.

This year, the report said, the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance has risen to 300 million, with an estimated 110 million people displaced.

"Civilians are caught between states and the growing influence of armed groups —whether organized along political, communal, criminal or any other lines. Weak state capacity and legitimacy creates space for nonstate armed groups to gain influence, triggering new conflicts, intensifying old ones and driving up needs, displacement and food insecurity," it added.