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Somalia 2007 © Jehad Nga Tens of thousands of Somalis are living in camps like this one, north of the capital Mogadishu, suffering from a lack of water, food, shelter, and access to medical treatment.

It should come as no surprise that millions of people in countries around the world experience war, poverty, displacement and disease. What is surprising is how many of these desperate stories never make it to the front pages and prime-time newscasts.

Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), released their annual “Top Ten” Most Underreported Humanitarian Stories last month. The report highlights the plights of people in places like Myanmar, Zimbabwe and Chechnya who are struggling to survive daily lives interrupted by violence, displacement and a lack of basic necessities. The list also focuses on the toll of medical catastrophes like tuberculosis (TB) and childhood malnutrition.

Nicolas de Torrenté, executive director of MSF-USA, points out that “many members of the press go to great lengths to report on what is taking place in conflict zones around the world. But millions of people trapped in war, forced from their homes and lacking the most basic medical care, do not receive attention commensurate with their plight.” The “Top Ten” list seeks to bring to light severe crises that are left out of mainstream media coverage.

According to the online media-tracking journal, “The Tyndall Report,” the issues on this year’s list accounted for just 18 minutes of coverage on the three major U.S. television networks’ nightly newscasts from January through November 2007. Chechnya, Sri Lanka and the Central African Republic (CAR) were never mentioned.

There was significant coverage of tuberculosis this year, when an Atlanta man was diagnosed with a multidrug-resistant strain of the disease. “Local angles of international stories can often drive coverage,”said de Torrenté. “Unfortunately, the result is that the focus is not necessarily on the most vulnerable and desperate—precisely the people whose stories deserve to be told.”

• Violence in Somalia reached the worst levels in 15 years in 2007. Government forces clashed with armed groups, causing innumerable civilian casualties and the displacement of hundreds of thousands from the capital, Mogadishu. Somalia’s 16-year conflict has resulted in some of the world’s worst health indicators, including an estimated life expectancy of 47 years.
• Every year, malnutrition is associated with the deaths of 5 million children under five. Nutrient dense ready-to-use foods (RUFs) have been developed that can save the lives of acutely malnourished children. But so far these products are only available to a tiny fraction of the children who need them.
• More than a year after the first democratic elections in decades were supposed to bring stability to DRC, fighting between armed groups has continued. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes, many multiple times. They are often forced to hide in the forest, with little food and under constant threat of attack. There is an alarmingly high rate of sexual violence. Through a partner hospital, MSF has treated 7,400 rape victims over the last four years.
• Isolated from the outside world since the ruling military junta came to power in 1962, the people of Myanmar (formerly Burma) suffer from repression and neglect. The crackdown on monks marching for democracy in September brought Myanmar international attention, but it did not expose what ordinary Burmese go through every day. The impoverished population suffers high malaria and HIV rates, yet only 1.4 percent of the regime’s budget supports health-care services. The slow response to the country’s HIV/AIDS epidemic has fueled the spread of the disease. As a result, the UN estimates that 20,000 people die annually from HIV/AIDS.

Simply spreading awareness about these underreported stories of so many people living in unimaginable hardship is a step forward. Doctors Without Borders offers a variety of ways for you to get involved, from a small donation to a life-changing career. Check out their website to make a monthly or one-time donation, send an e-card, find out about upcoming events, volunteer in the New York office or even apply to work with them in the field.

You can view a related slideshow, get more information about Doctors Without Borders, and find out what you can do to help at doctorswithoutborders.org.

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