Forgotten People - Global

Once per month, visitors to the RI site may access a report in the "Spotlights" section that highlights the problems specific to one group of "forgotten" people. These research reports begin by exploring why the group in question has failed to receive its share of international humanitarian aid. The reports then present information about the problems that this ignored group faces, and present recommendations. In January, RI featured the plight of the people of the Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; in February, the focus was The Saharawis of Western Sahara; the March spotlight was on The Rohingyas of Burma. This report may also be received via email (please see contact information below to make a request).

Overseas Development Assistance.

Organisers point out that the lives of tens of millions of people around the world are threatened by conflict, ethnic violence, drought, and natural disaster. But, they say, the response to those needs varies tremendously. For example, an independent consultant has calculated that in 1999 the United Nations spent $207 for each person in need in Kosovo, but only $16 per person in Sierra Leone and $8 per person in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). UN spending is largely determined by voluntary contributions. RI posits 3 reasons for this type of discrepancy: First, some humanitarian emergencies may not engage the national interests of the major aid donors. Second, the international media do not give all emergencies the same amount of attention. Third, aid agencies and NGOs may not be doing enough to inform the public and policy makers about the urgent needs of forgotten people.

Founded in 1979, RI is a non-profit Washington, DC (USA)-based humanitarian advocacy organisation. RI is an independent agency that does not accept government or United Nations funds.