2022 Crises That Need Attention

The ICRC released its Emergency Watchlist for 2022, identifying the most critical humanitarian crises that will happen next year. Most countries on this list have experienced significant conflict over the last decade, hindering their ability to respond to climate change and other global threats.

Afghanistan

In August 2021, the Taliban took over Afghanistan. International donors suspended their funding for non-humanitarian programs and froze the group’s assets. This resulted in the country’s economy going into a downward spiral. The Islamic State’s local affiliate, the IS-K, could also take advantage of the situation by carrying out attacks. Afghanistan also faces another potential COVID-19 outbreak and drought.

Ethiopia

Due to the ongoing conflict and the threat of climate change, Ethiopia is now in crisis. Although it’s not possible to confirm the exact number of people who are facing famine in the region, it’s believed that around 900,000 people are at risk. The country is also vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which will result in the need for more humanitarian assistance.

Syria

In Syria, the country is experiencing its worst economic crisis since the start of the conflict. Due to the lack of water, the situation has become worse, with millions of people experiencing severe shortages. There’s also a risk that the military will launch a major offensive against areas outside of government control.

Myanmar

In Myanmar, the events of February 2021 triggered violent confrontations and displaced thousands of people. The economic impact of this situation is expected to push more people into poverty in 2022.

South Sudan

South Sudan marked its 10th anniversary of independence in 2021. Despite the lower level of violence since the start of the conflict, the World Food Programme noted that the country’s food insecurity is still the worst since it gained its independence. This is due to the combination of natural shocks and COVID-19.

Nigeria

Over the past 12 years, northeast Nigeria’s militant activity and criminal activities have been attracting global attention. However, unrest and insecurity also spread to other parts of the country. The conflict has led to a growing humanitarian crisis in the northwest, while separatist activities in the southeast have become more violent. The security issues in the country are related to various factors, such as climate change and poverty.

About Francesca Rome-Marie

Based in Rome, Italy, Francesca Rome-Marie is a compassionate and dedicated healthcare professional who has spent her life building a career in the service of others. She works in areas focused on health, humanitarian aid, and human development particularly focused on the nonprofit/not-for-profit sectors doing work in underserved and marginalized communities. She dedicates herself to spreading equality and inclusion.

Throughout her career, Francesca Rome-Marie’s work and experience have helped her to develop skills in multiple areas. Her experience includes family medicine, nursing, family nursing, primary care, community health, mental health, global health, medicine, research, reproductive health, preventative medicine, and family nursing. She is also skilled in areas that include human rights activism, crisis counselling, sexuality education, gender theory, gender studies, cross-cultural communication skills, humanitarian assistance and intervention, interpersonal communication, nonprofit organizations, and disaster response, recovery, and preparedness. She is also known for her collaborative problem-solving abilities and disaster risk reduction capabilities.

Francesca Rome-Marie has developed a particular passion for work in areas regarding sexuality and gender as well as refugees, forced displacement, health, and rights. She is especially focused on improving access to care, visibility, and research while implementing programs dedicated to vulnerable populations, including women, girls, LGBTQI+ individuals, and sex workers, including any individuals who overlap between the three. She has worked previously doing research on LGBTQI needs within the humanitarian sphere.