Millions of people excluded from humanitarian work: Report

Millions of people worldwide in need of humanitarian assistance cannot have their needs met, which calls for increased efforts in the international humanitarian sector, according to a report released Monday in Beijing by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

An estimated 134 million people required humanitarian assistance worldwide last year, but only about 97 million were selected for international assistance under joint humanitarian response plans, said the World Disasters Report 2018.

This means of all those in need, 27 percent could not have their needs met, the report said.

The report cited five causes of this, including difficulties identifying those in need, particularly those whose births haven’t been registered, and challenges in reaching people due to geographical or political reasons.

Other people in need are unintentionally excluded for various reasons, such as inconsistencies between relief programs and their specific needs, the report said.

A major reason for exclusion is a lack of humanitarian funding. The gap between the funds required and the funds available is widening, according to the report.