UN says pandemic to fan surge in humanitarian needs in 2021

Refugees who fled the conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region wait to receive aid at Umm Rakouba refugee camp in Qadarif, eastern Sudan (Nariman El-Mofty/AP)

The UN humanitarian office says needs for assistance have ballooned to unprecedented levels this year because of Covid-19, projecting that a staggering 235 million people will require help in 2021.

This comes as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and global challenges including conflicts, forced migration and the impact of global warming.