From the recent Earthquakes in Nepal to last year's Ebola outbreak — several devastating emergencies like these make international headlines and grab the attention of aid groups.
But one such crisis has been seemingly forgotten by both media and international humanitarian efforts. The Central African Republic (CAR) is facing a severe health collapse due to over two years of internal violence.
If we don't take action to increase aid efforts, the United Nations warns that the situation in the CAR could become "the largest forgotten humanitarian crisis of our time".
Hundreds of thousands have been displaced from their homes by mounting violence and abuse. Those fleeing conflict are left vulnerable to diseases like malaria that would otherwise be easily treated. The health system is in shambles, as facilities have been destroyed and personnel have fled. Those in need of medical attention arrive at what few hospitals still exist in an already critical state, with little hope of recovering due to a vast lack of resources.
Meanwhile, the government has decreased investment in health, and international aid is not nearly enough to overcome the mounting medical emergency.
We can longer allow the millions in the CAR to suffer in silence.
Please speak out to ensure that the medical emergency in the CAR is not overlooked. Sign the petition urging UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to increase aid to help the CAR recover from this health crisis.
