No one is paying attention to the worst humanitarian crisis since World War II
By Jackson Diehl
Deputy Editorial Page Editor
June 25 at 7:11 PM
The never-ending circus that is Donald Trumps presidency has sucked attention from all kinds of issues that desperately need it, from health-care reform to the creeping expansion of U.S. engagement in Syria. Still, its shocking that so little heed is being paid to what the United Nations says is the worst humanitarian crisis since 1945: the danger that about 20?million people in four countries will suffer famine in the coming months, and that hundreds of thousands of children will starve to death.
Not heard of this? Thats the problem. According to U.N. and private relief officials, efforts to supply enough food to stem the simultaneous crises in South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Nigeria are falling tragically short so far, in part because of inadequate funding from governments and private donors. Of the $4.9 billion sought in February by the U.N.s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) for immediate needs in those countries, just 39 percent had been donated as of last week.
That resource gap could be attributed to donor fatigue, or to the sheer size of the need. But, in part, its a simple lack of awareness. We cant seem to get anyones attention to whats going on, says Carolyn Miles, the president and chief executive of Save the Children.
Ive never seen anything quite like this, says David Beasley, the former South Carolina governor who heads the U.N. World Food Program. The last eight to 10 months the world has been distracted. Its all Trump, Trump, Trump .?.?. and here we are in crisis mode.
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/no-one-is-paying-attention-to-the-worst-humanitarian-crisis-since-world-war-ii/2017/06/25/70d055f8-5767-11e7-ba90-f5875b7d1876_story.html?utm_term=.c5c336172fee
Liberal Jesus Freak
(1,451 posts)Trump has sucked up all my oxygen lately. I signed up on the website and will donate next payday. Thanks for bringing this to my attention
inanna
(3,547 posts)I have a bad case of Trump fatigue right now....
Auntie Bush
(17,528 posts)I'm afraid the world is stuck with it.
ghostsinthemachine
(3,569 posts)Wish I/we, could/would be able to do more.
Crash2Parties
(6,017 posts)If they don't move to where the food is, it's their own fault.
(please note, this entire comment was bitter, bitter sarcasm)
yuiyoshida
(41,832 posts)n/t
Doreen
(11,686 posts)was happening and feel horrible and wish there was something to do but in my situation it is not possible. I feel bad because I am much better off than they are but I still am not able to help.
Liberal Jesus Freak
(1,451 posts)If you edited to put "Hillary" or "Bernie" in the subject line, more of the regulars might respond
elmac
(4,642 posts)where children are starving to death because formula and medicine is no where to be found. A package of rice costs a whole days wage. Seen a report about it Friday night. Children of Syria suffering and dying. Lots of misery around the world and most of it caused by too much money in too few hands and wall street war profiteers.
JoeOtterbein
(7,702 posts)Reminds me of the Irish Potato Famine. All famines are man-made. Once again, it's just plain evil.
kimbutgar
(21,163 posts)This news show is on HBO at 4:30/7:30 pm. They actually cover real news from all over the world. I rarely watch MSNBC or CNN anymore but this news program is very enlightening. And I think you can get it online.