Pre-pandemic optimism around improvements in global poverty levels, food security and education have been dented by a new report from the UN’s humanitarian relief agency OCHA.

The latest ‘Humanitarian Action’ report by the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs paints a dire picture of humanitarian affairs across the world and it HAS identified some worrying trends for 2023.

The report says that after 20 years, forced displacement shows no sign of slowing.

More than one per cent of the world’s population — or 103 million people — are displaced. About two thirds of refugees and asylum-seekers originate from countries with food crises, and nearly a quarter of all refugees are hosted in least developed countries.

Disasters and extreme weather events, such as flooding and drought, are responsible for the majority of forced displacements worldwide, the report says.

It says violent conflict continues to take a heavy toll on civilians, especially when explosives are used in populated areas

“Children remain especially vulnerable, and the number of attacks on schools and hospitals has increased. Violence against aid workers is increasing, and 98 per cent of those killed were working in their own country,” the report says.

Meanwhile, the largest global food crisis in modern history is unfolding, the report says.

The crisis, driven by conflict, climate shocks and the looming threat of global recession, has seen hundreds of millions of people at risk of worsening hunger.

“Acute food insecurity is escalating, and by the end of 2022, at least 222 million people across 53 countries are expected to face acute food insecurity and need urgent assistance. Starvation is a very real risk for 45 million people in 37 countries,” the report says.

Climate change is contributing to humanitarian crises worldwide, the report says.

“…with climate-related disasters driving increased levels of risks and vulnerability, the past eight years are on track to be the eight warmest on record and 2023 is estimated to be among the hottest,” the report says.

“Of the 15 countries most vulnerable to the climate crisis, 12 had an internationally led humanitarian response. By the end of the century, deaths from extreme heat are projected to be comparable in magnitude to all cancers or all infectious diseases.”

The report says the global goal of ending extreme poverty by 2030 is no longer achievable, with 90 million more people experiencing this challenging reality than previously projected.

“Available jobs remain at below pre-pandemic levels, and rising inflation is expected to reach 10 per cent in emerging markets and developing economies,” it says.

“Global fuel and food price hikes are hitting low-income countries the hardest, and most countries with an humanitarian response plan (HRP) face lower projected growth in 2023, compounded by challenges of climate change, conflict, rising food and fuel prices, and food insecurity.”

Global public health is not improving, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, monkey pox outbreaks, the rapid spread of vector-borne diseases, rising cases of Ebola, and cholera outbreaks, the report says.

“Only 2.3 per cent of the 13 billion COVID-19 vaccines administered worldwide took place in the 29 countries with an HRP. Infant vaccine coverage has seen the largest recorded reduction in 30 years, and critical testing, treatment and prevention activities for infectious diseases and HIV have declined,” the report says.

Global gender parity also appears to be problematic, the report says.

It will now take four generations – or 132 years – to achieve global gender parity, it says.

“Globally, 388 million women and girls live in extreme poverty, more than men and boys, with the vast majority in sub-Saharan Africa and Central and Southern Asia,” the report says.

“The pandemic has increased the risks of gender-based violence (GBV) worldwide, and 13 million more girls are assessed to be at risk of becoming child brides in addition to the 100 million already at risk.”

The report says global education is in crisis due to the pandemic’s ongoing impacts.

“School children in middle-income countries endured significantly longer school closures than those in high-income countries. The digital divide persists: Of the 1.6 billion students out of school, 1.3 billion had no Internet connection at home or a device to learn on — a situation that is even more acute for those students living in humanitarian crises,” the report says.

It says that one in every 23 people across the globe now is in need of humanitarian assistance.

“In 2023, a record 339 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection – a significant increase from 274 million people at the beginning of 2022,” the report says.

“The UN and partner organizations aim to assist 230 million people most in need across 69 countries, which will require $US51.5 billion.

“Expanding global humanitarian needs, rising operational costs and commodity prices and high inflation in 2023 are contributing to a significant rise in requirements.

“For example, the World Food Programme’s monthly food procurement costs are now 44 per cent higher than before the pandemic.”

The report says East and Southern Africa have the largest number of people in need with 76.8 million.

“This year there are ten countries and four regional plans with requirements more than $US1 billion each,” it says.

“Improved stability in Libya is leading to a phased-out exit by humanitarians, resulting in the country not requiring a fully-fledged HRP in 2023.

“In Iraq, diminishing humanitarian response and increased efforts to achieve durable solutions with and through development partners have lifted the country out of the list of the most severe humanitarian situations.”

The report identified three countries wracked by conflict and its humanitarian fall out.

In Ukraine, the largest humanitarian cash assistance program in history is expected to transfer $US1.7 billion in 2022 to 6.3 million people — a huge increase from 11,000 people the year before, which amounts to nearly 600 times more people.

“In addition, the Ukraine regional response in 2023 will combine both a humanitarian and refugee response plan, aiming to support 13.6 million people with a total requirement of $US5.7 billion,” the report says.

In Ethiopia, the worsening drought and impact of conflict and violence in parts of the country and resulting waves of displacement mean that 28.6 million people will need humanitarian assistance in 2023, representing an increase from the year before.

“While the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement in November 2022 is a promising step to scale up humanitarian assistance, the humanitarian situation is not expected to stabilize in 2023 due to yet more forecasts of poor rainfall and the ongoing effects of conflict and violence,” the report says.

“The Democratic Republic of the Congo has its largest request to date, with a total of $US2.3 billion in 2023 — a 20 per cent rise compared to 2022. Net increases in prices are a challenging reality across the country — the high price of fuel has made it more expensive to reach vulnerable people in remote areas, and food and commodity prices at local markets have rocketed, especially for imported products. By the end of 2022, 6.2 million people received assistance in the country.”

Read the full report here: At a glance | Humanitarian Action