Last year was a violent year, and the new year threatens to be worse. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) initiative indicates that global conflicts doubled over the past five years, with a domino effect in multiple areas. The regions around India did not fare well. Pakistan moved from "high" to "extreme" levels of violence in 2024, while Myanmar remained in the high violence zone. Bangladesh has moved into the extreme zone for the 2025 forecast after remaining in the low violence category for years. When combined with other trends, the forecast is worrying, with the end effects filtering down to the ground. No one will likely remain untouched unless sense prevails or a new movement for peace emerges. As of now, there is not even a serious mediation effort anywhere. In fact, all concerned seem to be intent on fuelling the hatred and divisions.
The related statistics have only got worse. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, civilian deaths in these wars rose 37% to reach 200,000 globally, and that's only till mid-year. Then, there is the tsunami of displaced people and refugees. UN agencies estimate that one in every 69 persons is now forcibly displaced. "This is nearly double of those displaced a decade ago," the UN says.
This story is from the January 02, 2025 edition of Hindustan Times Pune.
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This story is from the January 02, 2025 edition of Hindustan Times Pune.
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