World in crisis1

Some 136 million people will need life-sustaining assistance in 2018, the majority due to conflict but also natural disasters such as drought. Humanitarian aid in this case covers everything from food, cash and the construction of roads or shelter to provision of medicines, vaccines and education for displaced children.

Emergency aid

The humanitarian industry has never been so big. $28 billion was spent responding to disasters in 2017. Globally, humanitarian assistance accounts for 13% of overseas development aid.2

Alongside bilateral agencies, the UN and private contractors, international NGOs (INGOS) are major players. There are some 2,500 INGOs, and an estimated 30,000 professionals worldwide. Emergency relief is dominated by 15-20 large organizations, whose budgets can stretch to billions.3

Under attack

An increase in violence against aid workers is making it harder to reach those in need.

A drop in the ocean

Humanitarian aid still falls short of growing needs. In the 20 countries that received the most em ergency aid in 2016, it made up just 2% of overall government income.

Alessio Perrone and Hazel Healy

  1. Global Humanitarian Overview 2018, UN OCHA nin.tl/Overview2018
  2. Global Humani-tarian Assistance Initiatives 2017, Development Initiatives nin.tl/DevInit2017
  3. Thomas Weiss Humanitarian Business, Polity, 2013.
  4. Individual NGOs’ Annual Reports, History.
  5. aidworkersecurity.org
  6. Aid Worker Security Report, 2017, nin.tl/AidSecurity2017