About Humanitarian news
Despite escalating conflict and the global climate emergency, needs remain high in many countries. However, improvements in 2023 and the reshaping of humanitarian funding have led to country-level plans/appeals being “hyper-prioritized” so that extremely scarce funds are directed to those who need them most.
The impact of this approach is clear. Commodities destined for communities in need are sitting on ships, unable to reach their intended destination; aid workers are barred from entering areas of hostilities; displaced people are denied access to services like education and health care; and vulnerable populations face severe hunger and are at risk of famine. This Catch-22 has had a profoundly negative effect on the lives of those in need, including women, children, people living with disabilities, and the elderly.
Whether caused by conflict, natural hazards, or climate change, protracted emergencies are complex and difficult to address. They often have multiple drivers that are compounding each other, such as drought in Afghanistan that is threatening millions of lives or the resurging violence and conflict in DRC. And they tend to be less visible than short-term crises, such as the tsunami in 2024, the earthquake in Haiti, or the cyclones Eta and Iota in 2020.
This explainer focuses on DRC and explores the challenges of aid delivery in active war zones. It also highlights the importance of vetting information and dispelling false narratives. It draws on a two year collaborative project (funded by the AHRC and ISRF) that mapped humanitarian reporting in major news organisations and specialist media.
