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The World's Worst Humanitarian Crises

Civil war and displacement fuel tragedies across the globe: aid group

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 23, 2008 4:42 PM CST

(Newser) – Aid organization Doctors Without Borders has released its annual list of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Here's a sample:

  • Somalia: Increased friction between insurgents and the government unleashed some of the worst violence in a decade. One in five children there dies before turning 5.
  • Congo: Hundreds of thousands have fled a devastating civil war and have no access to health care, food, water or basic shelter. Avoidable diseases like measles and diarrhea are taking a devastating toll on the displaced.

  • Pakistan: Thousands have been killed or forced to flee their homes as fighting intensifies between the military and Islamist militants in the areas bordering Afghanistan.
  • HIV/tuberculosis co-infection: The two diseases combined can kill a patient in a few weeks, but less than 1% of those with HIV are screened for TB.
For the others, click on the link.



Children displaced by the civil war in Congo search for their parents.
Children displaced by the civil war in Congo search for their parents.   (AP Photo)
In this Nov. 2, 2008 file photo, people displaced by the Congo's civil war try to return to their homes near Kibumba in the country's east.
In this Nov. 2, 2008 file photo, people displaced by the Congo's civil war try to return to their homes near Kibumba in the country's east.   (AP Photo)
President Robert Mugabe has presided over brutal violence and economic and health crises in Zimbabwe.
President Robert Mugabe has presided over brutal violence and economic and health crises in Zimbabwe.   (AP Photo)
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