HUMANITARIAN CRISES
Humanitarian crises are events or series of events that threaten the health, safety, or well-being of a community or large group of people. Humanitarian crises include armed conflict, epidemics, famine, natural disasters, and other major emergencies. If not addressed properly, a humanitarian crisis can become a refugee crisis, hence it’s crucial we do something. Some of the biggest crises and one’s suggested by your peers include the Syrian Crisis, Yemen Crisis, and Uyghur Crisis.
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Syrian Crisis. Originating in 2011, it started as a response to a peaceful protest that soon grew into a protracted conflict and ultimately a humanitarian crisis. As of now, there are approximately 5.5 million refugees, 6 million people displaced, and overall still 13 million people in need of assistance, and the problem is only growing.
Yemen Crisis. The Yemen crisis has its roots in a failed political transition that was supposed to bring stability to Yemen in 2011, where authoritarian President Ali Abdullah Saleh had to transfer power to his deputy, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. However, Hadi failed to deal with the variety of issues in the country, which allowed the Houthi movement to take advantage and take over the northern heartland of Saada province and neighboring areas. This soon led to a war, which ultimately left 80% of the country in need of humanitarian assistance.
Uyghur Crisis. Xinjiang or East Turkestan, as referred to by some, is a region northwest of China and has been under Chinese control since 1949. As the region is full of resources and oil, it attracted the Han Chinese and caused them to move in. This major demographic shift caused ethnic tensions to rise, riots broke out, and Uyghurs protested against the way the government treated them and the Han Chinese. Following the riots, the government curbed religious freedom, increased surveillance of the minority Uyghur population, and enforced “de-extremefication” policies where Muslim practices were banned and where thousands of Uyghurs were forced into "re-education" camps.
Organization: CARE. Founded in 1945, CARE is an international humanitarian organization that delivers emergency relief and plans long-term developmental projects. Today, they work in over 100 countries and provide aid to emergencies relating to disasters, food and nutrition, health, and education and work. Through their website, you can get involved by signing the petitions they have for humanitarian crises, learn how to get more involved, and support them by donating.
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Recommended Resource: Letter of Hope. Provided by CARE, you can send messages of hope, encouragement, and inspiration to refugees through the link below.
Organization: International Rescue Committee. Established in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is dedicated to helping people whose lives and livelihoods have been disrupted by conflicts or disasters. Through their website, you can find out more about the crises they’re involved in and take action.
Organization:Doctor Without Borders. Founded in 1971, this organization, as the name suggests, consists of numerous doctors that travel to foreign countries to provide, especially in places impacted by humanitarian crises. Through their website, you can support their cause by engaging with them, fundraising, attending their events, and getting involved by supporting refugees.
Organization: Save the Children. Established in 1919 in the UK, this organization dedicates itself to bettering the lives of children around the world, in their daily lives, and in times of crisis. With millions of children affected by humanitarian crises, you can support them and their cause through their website.
Resource: From Amnesty International, they have a current ongoing campaign dedicated to allowing Muslims in Xinjiang, China to observe Ramadan. You can contribute to this campaign through the link below.
Organization: Uyghur Human Rights Project. Founded in 2004, they aim to protect the human rights of Uyghurs. On their website, they offer lists of companies that you can write to, to cut off connections with Xinjiang, how to contact your local congressman about this issue, petitions you can sign, and more.