HUMANITARIAN CRISIS: EXPLORING THE COMPLEX EMERGENCIES

ABSTRACT

This paper is the result of a study which explored Global Complex emergencies. The paper examines the long term impact of the crisis on the population by utilizing different methods to investigate the complexities. Findings revealed significant gaps in legal framework and international cooperation

KEYWORDS

Refugee, asylum seeker, internally displaced, resilience, international organization, conflict, global crisis, human rights, intervention

1.INTRODUCTION

One of the biggest development challenges in the 21st century is the humanitarian crisis. Global crisis features Complex challenges despite growing efforts to address the challenges. Number of people who are impacted by humanitarian crises remains higher than at any point in recorded history. These challenges affect the most vulnerable section of members belonging to developing countries. Study shows that one in six children lived in close proximity to a conflict zone. Humanitarian crises include events occurring naturally or man made and can affect rapidly or gradually over time. Naturally occurring hazards include:

-Geophysical like earthquakes, volcano, landslides & avalanches

-Meteorological like Storms. cyclone & typhoon

-Hydrological like floods & Storm surges

-Climate events like droughts extreme temperature & Wildfire

-Biological such as epidemics & infestation

Man-made hazards include arms conflict, environmental degradation, pollution and industrial accidents. Other Complex emergencies which result from a combination of natural disaster along with man made hazards, They often result in violence, loss of civil population. Large scale displacement and voluminous damage to property. Even though these emergencies impact both rich and poor, those who are the vulnerable section remain the prime victims due to lack of resources to cope up and recover from these disasters. More than 70.8 million people have been forced to flee their homes. This data has been the highest since World War 2. Nearly 200 million people are affected by natural disasters, the 2014- 2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa demonstrated how infectious disease can become an international humanitarian crisis. The central African Republic has been ranked first among 191 countries as the most at risk for humanitarian crisis and disaster, Study shows that lives of children in CAR Is distressing where one into children do not have access to help services, 2 in 3 young girls are married before the age of 18 and almost 40% of children suffer from chronic malnutrition.

The UN Secretary General says that the world currently faces its worst humanitarian crisis since the second World War. UN Humanitarian chief Stephen O’ Brien Says “We stand at a critical point in history” and the world is facing its most extensive humanitarian crisis since 1945. More than 20 million people faced the threat of starvation and famine in Yemen, Somalia. South Sudan and Nigeria. O’ Brien said that in Yemen more than 18.8 million people needed aid and more than 7 million people were hungry, coining this as Yemen’s largest humanitarian crisis. According to O’ Brien the famine in South Sudan is man made. More than 7.5 million people needed aid and almost 3.4 million people were displaced, and about 200,000 have fled the country. UNICEF in its Global Annual Report [2020] Stated that 1 in every 33 people worldwide were in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. The INFORM Severity Index shows that there are roughly 132 crises going on in 73 countries with 13 countries where crises have reached a level of extreme severity. According to UNRWA situation report #119 on the situation in Gaza Stip, upto 1.9 million people have been internally displaced, this is roughly nine in ten people. The main aim of this paper is to get a better understanding of displaced people during an armed conflict, natural disaster & Other types of crisis that require Global attention

1.2 RESEARCH PROBLEM

1.2.1 REFUGEE

Taking into account the above mentioned issues, the study reported in this article investigated the Legal policy and framework governing refugees and their integration into the host community which remains suboptimal. Refugees are first hand victims of significant trauma from their experiences of crisis already leaving a long term effect. Social integration into the other community often comes with challenges. Main aim is to examine the factors influencing integration and community relations and violence faced by refugees and asylum seekers, internally displaced and stateless people.

1.2.2 HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION

The study also seeks to assess the role of certain organizations and their impact on victims of global crises. Focusing on the various aspects such as their coordination, effectiveness and their impact, Also evaluating the factors that influence their success and impact of these interventions. Analyzing role of international organization working towards protection of victims of conflicts or disasters.

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This section will focus on various research methodologies that were applied while analyzing the Humanitarian crisis. Each methodology used while carrying out research holds significance in answering different types of research objectives.This section provides a roadmap for the study ensuring that it is systematic and precise.

2.1 EXPERIMENTAL

Study: Purpose of Experimental research is to understand the context of foreign policies and their impact on refugees which can be complex due to ethical and practical constraints.

Research question: What are the impact of foreign policies and how they affect the well being and integration of refugees?

Hypothesis: Foreign policies tend to provide greatest support and resources to Refugees which contributes to well being and integration outcomes which is contrary to restrictive policies.

Research Design: an experimental Research Design can be used to study the impact of foreign policy by comparing Refugee outcomes before and after the introduction of certain changes in a specific country or between different countries.

Data collection:

Primary data: through surveys and interviews

Secondary data: Existing government report, NGO records and other reliable sources

Outcomes:

Germany’s new Asylum legislation poses as a threat to Refugee health:

Germany’s Centre left government Introduced new Asylum policies to facilitate deportation. The new law talks about different measures including longer detention periods and more possibilities of authorities to search the accommodation of asylum seekers and their families. in addition the lord define the period in which alarm seekers many of whom have flood warrant torture are only entitle to reduced social benefits is doubled from 18 months to 3 years giving this time they are only in titled to treatment for a cute illness and immunization. Other Healthcare requires Lendi and bureaucratic processes. This legal change is possibly going to affect the rescue’s health in different ways. discriminately and restrictive integration and policy can lead to social exclusion which can turn negative.

UK policies to deter people from claiming Asylum:

Recently the UK Government proposed and introduced measures designed to deter people from seeking Asalam in the United Kingdom. These policies deter people From seeking asylum and these policies apply regardless of whether the person’s Asylum claim is likely to succeed. They apply to citizens of countries with high Asylum success rates such as Afghanistan which is 99% and Syria which is again 99%. This policy is designed to detect people from claiming asylums that aim to make it easier to remove people to save third countries without assessing their rights to refugees

2.2 CORRELATIONAL

Study: in order to analyzing the relationship between funding received by international organizations and how the impact refugees during the crisis.

Hypothesis: There is a positive correlation between funding received by different International Organisation and Refugees.

Outcomes:

UNHCR:

UNHCR Has a long-standing partnership with the Donor government, which provides crucial funding on an annual basis. By the way of this partnership UNHCR can protect comma saved lives and build a better future for the tens of millions of refugees internally displaced and stateless people around the world.

Voluntary contribution from government partners and the European Union or vital to the work and accounting for almost 90% of annual income. As of 2021 three largest partners were the United States of America, the European Union and Germany.

Earmarked funding[ Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, Netherlands & Denmark] provide the backbone of UNHCR activities on a global scale allowing it to respond to emergencies.

EU’s Collaboration with international organization:

The EU works closely with the United Nations including UNHCR, IOM, ICMPD, OECD. EU’s Financial support and political engagement has increased in the past years to address Refugee flow within the EU , EU & UNHCR also holds an annual strategic dialogue.

In December 2016, EU-IOM Was launched which is the joint initiative and a first comprehensive program to bring African partner countries together around the aim of better protecting migrants with long migration roots and providing them socio-medical care. Operating today with a total budget of EUR 440 million.

2.3 CASE STUDY

Case study research provides an in depth examination of specific instances and events and provides real life context. This methodology is suitable for starting certain Complex issues during a global crisis. This section particularly focuses on interaction between refugees and international organizations during humanitarian crises.

Research question: How do international organizations impact the life of Refugees in times of crisis, focusing on the role and impact of the international criminal court in addressing justice and accountability for crimes which are committed against refugees.

Case study focus: The study focuses on specific international organization and their intervention during crisis

Observation: situation under investigation of ICC

State of Palestine;

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, international justice is being summoned and various complaints have been lodged at the international Criminal Court. Several public hearings have also been set for February 2024 by the international Criminal Court on the legal consequences arising from Israel’s policies and practices in the occupied Palestine territory.

complaints lodged:

-reporters without border submitted a complaint to ICC for crimes committed against the journalist in Israel and Palestine citing the death of 9 journalists.

-9 Israeli families impacted by the Hamas attack file the complaint at the ICC for war crimes, crime against humanity and genocide.

– three Palestine Human Rights organisation file the complaint with the ICC for war crimes, apartheid, genocide and incitement to genocide.

Investigation by ICC:

ICC announced a possible investigation into crimes committed in both Israel and Gaza through its prosecutor Karim A A Khan. Karim Khan in its declaration held that hostess taking is a serious violation of Geneva convention and also called for release of individuals held by Hamas; he also reminded Israel of its obligation to comply with the laws of armed conflict that impeding relief supplies may constitute.

2.4 QUALITATIVE & QUANTITATIVE

Qualitative research methodology is crucial to understand experience & behavior of individuals and communities affected by humanitarian crises and to explain social phenomena to gain insight. Qualitative research methodology has significance in the areas concerning refugees and Asylum seekers during the crisis. It provides systematic investigation which involves data to understand experiences of the refugees.

Understanding experience

Provides in depth interviews, focus groups and narrative analysis allows searches to explore the experiences of refugees and Asylum seekers. This includes challenges during displacement coping mechanisms and aspirations. it allows the researcher to understand the psychological, social and cultural impact of displacement and trauma on individual communities.

Research problem: The main objectives is to define specific aspects of integration which are to be studied, and focusing on acts of violence that the refugee population is experiencing during the crisis or aftermath.

Research Design:

-Focused groups:

The studies focused on women And children refugees that face a disproportionate threat of violence throughout their migratory journey during a crisis or within the refugee camp.

Observation:

Gender based violence is a serious violation of human rights and the life threatening health and protection issue. it can include sexual, physical, mental and economic harm inflicted in public or private. also includes the threat of violence or coercion, forced marriages, female genital mutilation, and honor killing. It is estimated that one in three women are exposed to gender based violence during their lifetime. The latest Global trend reports published in June 2024 included the official statistics on Refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced and stateless people, An estimated 117.3 million people were displaced due to violation of human rights this equates to more than one in every 69 people on earth.

3. REVIEW OF LITERATURE

This section of the research paper focuses on critical components which provide a context, background and identifying gaps in existing research. This section synthesizes findings, studies, reports and other sources, and how they explore the current research.

The main aim of review of literature was to be aware of the existing Research and to develop a framework for future research endeavors. The research focused upon various types of global crises including natural disasters and armed conflicts.

3.1 HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Major themes:

Natural disasters

Sudden events that cause widespread destruction, major collateral Damage or loss of life, for it to be classified as a disaster it must have environmental effects. There have been a series of events that have shaped the course of history which lead to a need for global humanitarianism.

These are the calamities whose occurrences are generated by the effects of nature and other than being Human driven. a natural disaster may be caused by weather, climate or other occurrences that originated at earth’s surface. no one has ever been immune to a natural disaster.

Natural disaster in medieval ages:

-The Sicily earthquake of 1169 Where a powerful earthquake struck the eastern coast of Sicily which produced a Tsunami and caused Mount Etna to erupt.

-St lucia flood 0f 1287 where a massive storm Swift into Netherlands and northern Germany. It is considered to be one of the worst flooding incidents recorded in history.

Natural disasters in the 20th century

-The flood of yellow river in China in the year 1931 which resulted in the Death toll to almost 3.7 million.

-The Haitian earthquake in the year 2010 which recorded a magnitude of 7.0 on the witcher scale and was followed by aftershocks.

-The Great Galveston storm in the 1900 occurred in Texas. This hurricane Remains one of the deadliest natural disasters in US history.

-The Indian Ocean Tsunami 2004

Warfare & conflict

Crises are certain events that deprive the population or part of the country. There is no single definition of humanitarian crisis but it is usually referred to as Emergencies or a situation of conflict that deteriorates human rights. Warfare Often contributes to the suffering of ordinary people.

Ancient & medieval warfare:

-Battles of Syracuse – Roman expansion of Italy

– Battles of Cynoscephalae – Roman control of Italy

– expansion of Rome in the second century – caesar’s gallic Wars

– caesar vs pompey -Battle of Berre River

– the war of 1173-4

– France after first & second English invasion

– The Swiss confederation

– the battle of Crecy

– the battle of Poitiers

Warfare in 20th and 21st century:

-The first world war 1914

– Russian civil war 1917

– 3rd Afghan war 1919

– Irish civil war 1922

– Spanish civil war 1936

– Arab revolt in Palestine 1936

– Second World War 1939

– Jewish insurgency in mandatory palestine 1944

– the partition of India 1947

– emergency in malay, kenya and cyprus 1948,52,55

– the Korean War 1950

– the Suez crisis 1956

– the falklands conflict 1982

– the Gulf War 1990

– The Kosovo war 1998

– Iraq war 2003

Diseases and epidemics

History has been witness to a series of deadly diseases that have swiped half of the population. These events are threatening in terms of health safety and well being of a community or larger group of people. Each humanitarian crisis is caused by different factors, the result can be short term or long term.

Epidemics and pandemics that caused global crisis:

-The plague of justinian Also called the bubonic plague which vanished 60% of European population

– The black death or the bubonic plague, which Contributed to Loss of 30 to 60% of the European population.

-The third plague pandemic in the year 1855

-1520 Mexico smallpox epidemic

– Spanish blue in the year 1918

– the HIV / AIDS pandemic

– the covid-19 pandemic

Famines

Famine is an acute episode of extreme starvation which results in Access mortality in a substantial portion of the population of the region. Many famines result from natural causes such as drought, flooding or unreasonable cold. One of the most common causes of famine is warfare because of the fact that methods of warfare involve siege, blockade tactics And destruction of routes.

-The great Chinese famine 1907 & 1959

– south india famine 1782

-Bengal famine 1770

-holodomor 1932

-bengal famine 1943

3.2 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS

Theoretical framework provides the structure that supports that theory of a research study. It voices not only theories but also the narrative explanation and underlying assumptions to investigate the research problem.

Relevant theories:

Conflict theory:

Conflict theory is a perspective in Sociology that emphasizes social, political And other inequality among social groups. The theory is associated with sociologist Karl Marx. The Theory is based on the idea that social structure and relationships are shaped by power struggle and competition for limited resources.

While apply conflict theory to humanitarian crisis, We come across several points;

resource scarcity:

The crisis often stems from resource scarcity. The theorist argues that competition for resources often leads to tension and violence.

Power and inequality:

During the times of crisis those who are in power may use their position to control resources often and at the expense of marginalized groups. for instance resources which are sometimes distributed unequally in a Refugee camp favoring certain groups.

Global inequality:

The theory also has the disparities between wealthy and poor nations. International responses to global crises often reflect these inequalities where the Nations use aid as a tool of influence.

Humanitarianism theory:

This theory provides a framework to understand the principle and practices that drive humanitarian aid and intervention. This theory forces on Human value and dignity During natural disasters, armed conflict and other crises.

Core principal;

Humanity- Human suffering must be addressed and action will be taken to protect life and health.

Neutrality- To avoid taking sides in hostilities or engage in controversies.

Impartiality- Aid must be provided without any discrimination on the basis of nationality, Race or religion.

Independence- Any action taken must not be under any political, military or economic objective.

Disaster management theory

This theory focuses on strategies, principles and practices in order to respond and mitigate the impact of calamities on the population.

Component:

1] Preparedness 3] Response

2] Recovery 4] Mitigation

4. METHOD

This section provides a detailed procedure on how research was conducted and rationale behind the chosen method.

Sample:

The study focused on the affected population during a global crisis. The study was not Limited just the victims of armed conflict but also to the victims of natural disasters.

Instrument:

The data was collected by various survey, articles & Official website;

-BBC.com

-UNICEF.ORG

-EU Science hub

– The Guardian

-UNHCR

Procedure:

Various steps were taken while Collection of data including thorough reading Of various articles, official reports & statistics, and surveys existing problems and specific activities involved.

Data analysis:

-Experimental research was used in the context of foreign policy that had an impact on refugees. it focused on understanding different policies and their impact on refugees

– correlational research was used to analyze relationship between different levels of funding received by international organization and their outcome during crisis

– qualitative and quantitative methods used to understand the subjective experience and behavior of individuals and provide systematic investigation which involves numerical data to understand the experience of refugees.

5. SUGGESTIONS

5.1 INTRODUCTION

The research paper investigated legal policies and Framework which governs the refuge and their integration into the host community. The refugees are the first hand victim of significant trauma which leaves a long term effect. mean investing exam in the factors which influence the integration and the challenges faced whether refugees and asylum seekers. The study also seeks to assess the role of certain organizations and their impact on victims of global crises. It also evaluates the success of these interventions working towards protection of victims.

Recommendations:

1] Global advocacy for international cooperation among various international organizations and

governments wound streamline the response to global crisis and maximize resources

2] Establish a justice system that would advocate for protection of refugee, internally displaced

and asylum seekers ensuring access to justice.

3] Adapt strategies as a way of human response to address environmental and climate change

impact.

4] Empower different communities to ensure their participation & build resilience

5] Ensure gender equality and social inclusions of Refugee, internally displaced & Asylum

seeker.

6] improve access to basic necessities such as health care, sanitation & education.

6. CONCLUSION

Key findings

Key findings in the research paper highlighted the problems related to refugees including their integration into host countries and challenges that they faced in the aftermath of the crisis were quite real. It reflected that those who are displaced due to conflicts or calamities often face stigma and inclusion challenges in the host countries.

Various Asylum policies also tend to have significant implications on refugees. Lack of an international framework renders them vulnerable to different types of violence.

this research paper provide the readers a conceptual background behind an umbrella term called humanitarian crisis and provide insights into the challenges and difficulties which the victims faces.

REFERENCE

–bbc.com

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-39238808

[last visited july 9th,2024]

-World vision,

https://www.wvi.org/disaster-management/what-humanitarian-disaster

[last visited july 9th, 2024]

-unicef.org

https://www.unicef.org/reports/global-annual-results-2020-humanitarian-action

[last visited july 9th, 2024]

-EU science hub

https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news-and-updates/humanitarian-crises-around-world-are-becoming-longer-and-more-complex-2020-11-20_en