We live in a world of crises. Whether it is the cost-of-living, climate change, political volatility or personal situations, there is so much fighting for our attention and sometimes – with no clear resolution in sight – it can be exhausting.

Over the past year, we have seen humanitarian crises in Gaza, Ukraine, and Libya flood the news. The undeniable and heartbreaking needs of children, families and vulnerable people have been at the forefront of our minds.

Yet, there are so many situations that the world is largely blind to and neglects. It isn’t a lack of compassion or empathy that leads to neglected crises, but much bigger systemic issues. Crises become neglected when we don’t hear about them in the news and donors and policy makers no longer make them a priority. These crises are often protracted with complex causes such as conflict, climate change and poor governance.

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At IHP, we work to send medical aid where there is an undeniable need, despite a lack of media attention or even funding. It is integral to our mission that we continue to send aid despite these challenges, and to shine a light on the forgotten situations that urgently need attention.

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Here are just some of the neglected crises that IHP are actively working in that may have passed you by:

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Haiti

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Political volatility, economic turmoil and increased gang violence in Haiti has created an unprecedented social landscape across the Caribbean Island. Limited access to ports, hospitals and clinics, coupled with climate-induced disasters, such as hurricane Beryl and the earthquake of August 2021, has created a complex and vulnerable setting compounding chronic poverty, food insecurity and severely limiting access to healthcare.

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• 5.5 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance

• Only one public hospital remains open in the capital and privately-run clinics are closing rapidly  
• A lack of access to health services and medicine is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, particularly for pregnant women and older adults.  
• IHP has actively been working with our partner here since 2012, reaching over 7.7 million patients

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Horn of Africa

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The devastation wrought by the recent droughts across the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Somalia, Somaliland, Kenya and Djibouti) – the worst in over forty years – will be felt for years. Widespread displacement has led to severe malnutrition and increased risk of disease.

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• 43 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance

• Millions of children under the age of five years are estimated to be facing acute malnutrition
• A surge in disease outbreaks including cholera, malaria, measles, yellow fever and polio directly linked to extreme climate events and conflict, with severe impact on illness and loss of life
• IHP has actively been working with our partners here since 2015, reaching over 15.4 million patients

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Syria

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Over 12 years of conflict and a deadly earthquake in 2023 have had devastating effects on communities in Syria. More than 12 million people have fled their cities and villages and with 90% of families living in poverty, Syria’s health system is on its knees.

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• 15.3 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance

• 35% of public hospitals and 48% of primary healthcare facilities are either partially or not functional
• Due to the poor hygiene and sanitation and limited access to clean water, there has been a significant increase in water borne diseases
• IHP has actively been working with our partner here since 2017, reaching over 404,000 patients

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West Bank

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The escalation of settler violence in the West Bank since the start of the October 2023 conflict, has made this year one of the deadliest on record for Palestinian residents. Most checkpoints across the West Bank remain closed, limiting people's movements and affecting their ability to access basic services, including medical care.

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• Over 800,000 people are in need of humanitarian assistance
• Between October 2023 and May 2024, 44% of 28,292 applications for patients to seek medical care outside the West Bank, have been denied or remain pending
• As of 28 May, the World Health Organization has documented 480 attacks on health care in the West Bank since the start of the conflict
• IHP has actively been working with our partner here since 2014, reaching over 540,000 patients

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Yemen

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Since 2015, active conflict has displaced 4.5 million people and left  70% of the population in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. Long-lasting violence, ongoing economic crisis, mounting food insecurity and recurring disease outbreaks, also caused by climate events, have led to the near collapse of the country’s health system.

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• 18.2 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance

• 46% of all health facilities only partially functioning or completely out of service
• IHP has actively been working with our partner here since 2015, reaching over 600,000 patients