Hundreds of millions of people in the world are affected by humanitarian crises — including armed conflict, forced displacement, natural disasters and major disease outbreaks. Humanitarian news aims to inform and empower those on the frontlines, as well as donors, governments and policymakers, about these challenges.
An armed conflict, coup, political instability, ethnic and religious persecution or natural disaster can trigger a humanitarian crisis that results in severe levels of death and suffering, profound damage to economies and societies, displacement of populations and difficult conditions for humanitarian assistance. The cause can be man-made or natural and it is usually accompanied by high levels of poverty and inequality.
Humanitarian funding cuts are likely to have long-term implications for the sector. Even with the expansion of the USAID waiver to allow for life-saving activities, the impact of program suspensions and terminations is causing commodities to sit idle — such as food in war-torn countries or vaccines in communities struggling with Marburg fever and Mpox.
As the world faces new challenges, the need for accurate, timely and thoroughly contextualized humanitarian journalism is greater than ever. In response, ReliefWeb has launched a new way for partners to submit news and updates directly to us through ReliefWeb Submit. This will help ensure that their important content reaches a wide audience of decision-makers and responders, as well as researchers and the media.