In many countries around the world, COVID-19 is not an exceptional crisis. 

Hunger, climate change, violence against women and girls, abuse, and war all took their toll on people around the world irrespective of the pandemic. Yet a new annual report from CARE on what it considers to be the 10 most underreported humanitarian crises of 2020 shows how international coverage is focused on far less consequential topics. 

According to CARE’s latest report, Kanye West’s bid for the U.S. presidency received more media coverage than coverage of all these 10 underreported humanitarian crises combined. The launch of the Playstation 5 gaming console received 26 times more attention. These crises are not minor issues — they involve hunger in the Central African Republic, political violence in Ukraine, and deadly epidemics in Madagascar. CARE says this lack of attention has global consequences. 

“It has a very strong impact on people’s lives and livelihoods because — not least — it impacts the amount of funding available for these crises,” says Tessa Bolton, a program officer with CARE. “But it also impacts whether there’s political attention paid…to these challenges and to these populations. It’s not something that is a luxury. Public awareness is vital for us to be able to address these issues.” 

Canada has historically played a major role in global development work despite its relatively small population. According to Global Affairs Canada, the nation offers humanitarian aid and support of some kind to around 130 countries around the world between 2017 and 2018. (This is the latest data currently available). This help came through multilateral and bilateral agreements as well as government assistance of local and international aid organizations. 

COVID-19 is currently occupying the world’s attention, and Canada is no exception to that. Over the past year, the federal government has spent unprecedented amounts of money on financial support for Canadians amid public health restrictions, medical supplies, vaccine development, and other critical issues. However, international aid is still seen as a crucial task for the Canadian government. In December, Canada added an additional $400 million from its global development budget to support COVID-19 vaccine distribution in lower-income countries

Here’s a breakdown of what CARE considers to be the most underreported humanitarian crises on the planet — and how COVID-19 is complicating them:

Burundi

In Burundi, a small country located between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania, a surge of refugees are returning to the country after five years of political turmoil. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says these returnees are straining the fifth poorest country in the world, and COVID-19 is making it all worse. “The global pandemic has disrupted trade, especially informal commerce, in border areas and urban centres, and has restricted cross-border movements,” the report says. “This has led to loss of jobs and remittances to rural areas that could finance agricultural production and other commercial activities.” 

Canada’s role: Unclear. While Canada does offer poverty reduction and development initiatives across the continent through its Pan-Africa Regional Development Program, Global Affairs Canada does not specify whether Burundi is part of these efforts. 

Guatemala

Hunger is a persistent issue in this Central American nation despite its classification as a moderate-income economy by the World Bank. Long droughts and occasional, yet ferocious rainfall over the past five years has contributed to numerous crop failures. Before COVID-19, the nation had the sixth-highest chronic malnutrition rate in the world that includes nearly half of all children. “For the 10 million people living below the poverty line in this Central American country, COVID-19 has made a serious food crisis worse,” the report says. 

Canada’s role: Canadian development work in Guatemala includes nutritional and food security assistance, climate change resilience, and assistance for Guatemalans in the agricultural sector. 

Central African Republic

According to the CARE report, the Central African Republic (CAR) remains in the throes of “one of the deepest, most damaging humanitarian crises in the world.” For nearly a decade, the CAR has been ravaged by civil war, poor governance, and poverty. Despite a peace treaty signed in 2019, attacks on civilians and UN peacekeepers are still occurring. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic is contributing to price hikes on basic goods like sugar and rice. Reported cases of violence against women and girls have more than doubled. And a quarter of all families fear their children may fall prey to sexual violence, forced labour, or recruitment by armed groups. 

Canada’s role: Unclear. While Canada does offer poverty reduction and development initiatives across the continent through its Pan-Africa Regional Development Program, Global Affairs Canada does not specify whether the CAR is part of these efforts. 

Ukraine

Years of war with separatist factions has left millions of Ukrainians in the nation’s Donbas region in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Landmines and explosives are routine threats. Mental health issues are widespread. The elderly and disabled are particularly vulnerable. “Many younger and able-bodied people have moved to other parts of the country, leaving more vulnerable groups behind,” the report says. In conflict areas, 30 percent of people are senior citizens or live with disabilities. With the COVID-19 pandemic, local residents are less able to cross the “contact line” dividing Ukranian government and separatist areas to receive humanitarian aid. 

Canada’s role: Global Affairs Canada works with Ukraine on poverty reduction efforts as well as boosting civic participation in democracy and strengthening the country’s independent media and judiciary. 

Madagascar

Climate change is affecting Madagascar in a multitude of ways. Roughly 1.5 cyclones strike the African island nation every year, while severe droughts and floods directly affect around 5 million people. Malaria is endemic. So, too, is bubonic and pneumonic plague — the Black Death that struck Europe in the Middle Ages. “Every year, thousands of Malagasy people are affected by natural disasters but their situation is rarely reported in the international media,” the report reads. 2020 brought not only COVID-19, but an outbreak of malaria that has killed nearly 400 people. 

Canada’s role: Unclear. While Canada does offer poverty reduction and development initiatives across the continent through its Pan-Africa Regional Development Program, Global Affairs Canada does not specify whether Madagascar is part of these efforts. 

Malawi

High suicide rates in Malawi are among the issues facing this south African country. “Natural disasters, pest outbreaks, extreme poverty and now COVID-19 are pushing an already highly-stressed population to the brink,” the report says. While the country has curbed acute malnutrition, the report says the COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting Malawi’s food supply chain. Class closures during the pandemic have also led to a rise in child marriage and sexual abuse. Between March and July of 2020, Malawi’s government recorded over 40,000 cases of teen pregnancies — an 11 percent increase from the previous year. 

Canada’s role: Unclear. While Canada does offer poverty reduction and development initiatives across the continent through its Pan-Africa Regional Development Program, Global Affairs Canada does not specify whether Malawi is part of these efforts. 

Pakistan

A “triple disaster” of locust swarms, unprecedented levels of urban flooding, and the COVID-19 pandemic led to a series of calamities for the south Asian country. The locust swarms and the August monsoon forced Pakistan’s government to import wheat. “Crops, food supplies and livestock destroyed in 2020’s extreme flooding will take many years to recover,” the report says. Before these disasters, hunger was a huge issue, especially for children. One of the largest displaced populations in the world — 1.4 million Afghan refugees — are also adding an additional burden to schools and hospitals. 

Canada’s role: Over the last 60 years, Canada has supported polio eradication efforts, humanitarian aid, and female empowerment in Pakistan. Protecting the sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls has been a major priority. 

Mali

Last summer, a military coup toppled Mali’s government. Despite hopes for peace, the report says years of conflict have displaced thousands of people. “Violence, natural disasters and widespread poverty have pushed a record 13.4 million people in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in need of urgent humanitarian assistance,” the report says. COVID-19 prevention measures have also disrupted Mali’s agricultural sector, which employs two-thirds of the country. To make matters worse, the pandemic is aggravating huge inequities for women in Mali, one of the most gender unequal countries in the world. 

Canada’s role: Canadian international assistance in Mali focuses on access to health care, basic education, and other essential services, as well as female empowerment. 

Papua New Guinea

Similar to Madagascar, the Oceania nation of Papua New Guinea is blessed with rich biodiversity and a plethora of raw minerals, including copper, silver, natural gas, and crude oil. However, the report says it is also prone to natural disasters, including flooding and landslides. The COVID-19 pandemic is straining an already overtaxed healthcare system and hammered Papua New Guinea’s economy. “As a result, Papua New Guineans are witnessing higher inflation and higher prices for basic goods,” the report says. Women have been especially hard-hit, with many female entrepreneurs losing their incomes during the pandemic.

Canada’s role: Global Affairs Canada does not have any programs listed in Papua New Guinea specifically, although Canadian NGOs may work in the country. 

Zambia

Climate change is drying up Zambia’s famous Victoria Falls and Lake Kariba, the nation’s primary source of hydroelectric power. “Consecutive droughts, locust plagues and floods have left no crops to harvest,” the report reads. “These, combined with livestock disease outbreaks and the adverse effects of COVID-19 movement restrictions, have negatively impacted livelihoods.” Just a third of Zambians reported access to basic sanitation services. This, combined with the country’s high rate of teen pregnancy and child marriage, means mothers of young children could be at great risk if COVID-19 cases surge in Zambia. 

Canada’s role: Unclear. While Canada does offer poverty reduction and development initiatives across the continent through its Pan-Africa Regional Development Program, Global Affairs Canada does not specify whether Zambia is part of these efforts. 

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