World Disasters Report identifies top 10 neglected humanitarian crises

(OTTAWA-December 14, 2006) The World Disasters Report 2006, launched today by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,  has analyzed neglected global crises, which persist despite record levels of financial contributions to more high profile disasters. This year’s report finds there are huge inequalities in access to assistance, as aid is increasingly driven by media coverage and politics. The report demonstrates how timely responses can help prevent chronic crises flaring up into humanitarian emergencies.

The report’s data shows the financial commitments of United Nations appeals closely mirror media coverage with high profile disasters capturing the highest levels of aid per beneficiary. The tsunami was the best-funded crisis and could deliver 50 times more money per beneficary than some of the worst-funded crises like those in Chad, Guyana, Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi and Niger.

”From the Red Cross perspective, such disparities are unacceptable,” says Jose Garcia-Lozano, general manager of International Operations for Canadian Red Cross. “Humanitarian agencies and governments need to find ways that ensure aid goes to the world’s most vulnerable people regardless of whether or not a disaster or crisis captures media and political attention.”

Another trend in this year’s report shows needs are growing as quickly as donations. While donations have hit the highest level ever, so did the number of people needing help - a number that has doubled in the last 10 years. The increasing number of vulnerable people can be directly linked to the increase in natural disasters. Between 2003 and 2005, the average number of reported natural disasters increased by 60 per cent.

Disaster response expert, Dr. Peter Walker, of Tufts University in Boston says that the model of financing aid and its distribution has not kept up with the changing shape of today’s humanitarian needs.  

”Research shows us that crises are no longer a blip on the development curve, but often the result of slow-moving disasters that grow out of chronic poverty and social vulnerability,” says Walker, who founded the World Disasters Report in 1992.  ”We live in an era of global crises, like avian flu, which cross the boundaries of nations so we can no longer afford to think of these problems in isolated terms.” 

Walker says to address the plight of neglected disasters, there needs to be a shift away from the current model of reactive humanitarian funding, which supports one disaster to another. Instead, he proposes stable and consistent funding which can address emergencies before a full-blown crisis hits.

According to the World Disasters Report, the inequalities of aid also go beyond funding. The report shows the vulnerability of women is being neglected in many humanitarian responses. Following the 2005 South Asia earthquake, some 17,000 disaster-affected women in Pakistan were estimated to be close to giving birth but there was a critical shortage of female doctors and health workers deployed in the response.

Published annually since 1993 by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the World Disasters Report brings together the latest trends, facts and analysis of contemporary crises - whether 'natural' or human-made, quick-onset or chronic. 

Although the World Disasters Report is commissioned by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the writers are independent and are entitled to express their own views. The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the official policy of the International Federation or of individual National Societies.  The report aims to provide a critical analysis relating to the use of information in disasters, and does not seek to promote the work of the Red Cross Red Crescent above other aid agency efforts.

Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 185 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.

For more information or an interview on the 2006 World Disaster’s Report, please contact the Canadian Red Cross Media Line, at (613) 740-1994.

Posted December 14, 2006