What Went Wrong in the World in 2013?

A Sobering Reminder of Those Struggling around the Globe

By Morgan Lee, Christian Post Reporter Saturday, December 21, 2013

A Syrian refugee peers out from a tent in one of the makeshift settlements in Lebanon — A Syrian refugee peers out from a tent in one of the makeshift settlements in Lebanon | (Photo: World Vision)

What was the world like in 2013 for the planet's most marginalized and vulnerable communities?

1. Syria's Civil War

Now entering its third year without an end in sight, the Syrian civil war has displaced hundreds of thousands. Currently, 2.3 million people have been forced to flee the country, and in the process have been overwhelming receiving countries such as Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. Despite the conflict's length and scope, fundraising on behalf of Syria has proved a challenge for relief organizations — it took several years for Christian humanitarian organization World Vision to raise just $1 million.

Hiam (age 5, on the left) and her sister Asma (age 3, on the right). In the Bekaa, one of the coldest areas of Lebanon, it is a critical time for many Syrian refugees living in tents or housing that are flimsy or without heating, leaving them especially vulnerable to the cold. World Vision started working with partners to provide unconditional cash assistance of $550 to 25,000 families over a five-month period. This money covers the cost of stove, and fuel plus providing them with 5 blankets. 'Without the stove, my legs would freeze and my little sister would cry,' said Hiam. — Hiam (age 5, on the left) and her sister Asma (age 3, on the right). In the Bekaa, one of the coldest areas of Lebanon, it is a critical time for many Syrian refugees living in tents or housing that are flimsy or without heating, leaving them especially vulnerable to the cold. World Vision started working with partners to provide unconditional cash assistance of $550 to 25,000 families over a five-month period. This money covers the cost of stove, and fuel plus providing them with 5 blankets. "Without the stove, my legs would freeze and my little sister would cry," said Hiam. | (Photo: World Vision)

Visit with Syrian refugees at Za'atari Refugee Camp, Jordan. World Vision is providing flood control and a variety of GIK assistance to the refugees. — Visit with Syrian refugees at Za'atari Refugee Camp, Jordan. World Vision is providing flood control and a variety of GIK assistance to the refugees. | (Photo: World Vision)

2. Relentless Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

In a two-decade long conflict that barely registers on the American consciousness, two million people have fled their homes, livelihoods, and families due to relentless conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. No more explicitly can the toll of the violence be seen than in Congolese children; 170 children out of every 1,000 Congolese children die before the age of five, and the majority of these are lost in their first year of life. In 2013, 60 percent of Congolese families went hungry, resulting in more than one million children suffering the effects of under-nutrition.

More than 200 children live unaccompanied at Mugunga 1, without parent or guardian protection. World Vision distributes food there in partnership with the World Food Programme, and families receive a monthly supply of maize meal, rice, beans, vegetable oil, salt and other staple foods. — More than 200 children live unaccompanied at Mugunga 1, without parent or guardian protection. World Vision distributes food there in partnership with the World Food Programme, and families receive a monthly supply of maize meal, rice, beans, vegetable oil, salt and other staple foods. | (Photo: World Vision)

Innocent, 11, was orphaned during the war. Rebels entered his family's village and they were forced to flee - his parents over the border to Rwanda and Innocent into the Congolese wilderness. He later discovered his parents died, and today he lives alone in the Mugunga 1 IDP camp in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. He spends his days combing the forest in search of food, hoping to somehow return home. — Innocent, 11, was orphaned during the war. Rebels entered his family's village and they were forced to flee - his parents over the border to Rwanda and Innocent into the Congolese wilderness. He later discovered his parents died, and today he lives alone in the Mugunga 1 IDP camp in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. He spends his days combing the forest in search of food, hoping to somehow return home. | (Photo: World Vision)

Muombi, 15, was separated from her mother when her family fled fighting in their village. She was then abandoned by her older brother, and now lives with family friends in the Mugunga 1 IDP camp in Goma, DRC. Every day Muombi goes into the forest in search of food, exposing herself to risks such as sexual violence and abuse in order to eat. — Muombi, 15, was separated from her mother when her family fled fighting in their village. She was then abandoned by her older brother, and now lives with family friends in the Mugunga 1 IDP camp in Goma, DRC. Every day Muombi goes into the forest in search of food, exposing herself to risks such as sexual violence and abuse in order to eat. | (Photo: World Vision)

Rene Genosa and some of his children looking at the place where their home used to be. His wife, Edwina, gave birth to their daughter, Josephine, the day before Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines. — Rene Genosa and some of his children looking at the place where their home used to be. His wife, Edwina, gave birth to their daughter, Josephine, the day before Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines. | (Photo: World Vision)

3. Typhoon Haiyan Devastates the Philippines

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