As we celebrate Easter, we are reminded that the resurrection is not just an event of the past, but a living source of hope and renewal for us today. Let us rejoice together in these testimonies of faith and transformation.

We share the third Glimpse of Resurrection...

The Forgotten Crisis
by Eliana Bulla

Imagine waking up one morning to seeing the world you know and love collapse into dust. Imagine fleeing your home with nothing but the clothes you wear, hoping, praying— if you would ever see your family again, or even if you would live to see another day. But who is listening?

Tensions are constantly on the rise in many parts of the world, with wars that barely make the headlines. Ethiopia, once again, is consumed by violence. The Democratic Republic of Congo is drowning in conflict. Families in Sudan are stripped of their human rights, experiencing extreme famine. In Myanmar, ethnic communities are facing violence, particularly the Rohingya Muslims, forcing hundreds of thousands into refugee camps. In Colombia, decades of civil unrest and drug cartel violence have displaced millions, making them one of the largest victims of emigration. These aren’t just facts; they represent real people’s lives, all of which are at risk and often overlooked.

A prominent example of one of the most overlooked conflicts in Africa is the Eritrea-Ethiopia war (1998–2000). Whilst the war officially ended with the Algiers Agreement (2000), tensions persisted for nearly two decades, leading to continued suffering, human rights abuse, and a refugee crisis that rarely gets brought up.

To this day, many refugees face exploitation in Libya, Sudan, and even Europe. Ethiopia, as a result of the conflict, left nearly a million people fleeing from their homes, many women and children being brutally attacked because of their ethnicity, particularly in border regions.

While a peace agreement was signed in 2018, border tensions and internal conflict continue to this day. Eritrean and Ethiopian people’s suffering is largely ignored by global media and governments, despite them constantly living in fear that another war may break out between these two volatile countries. There is no war, there is no peace. Millions all over Africa now face global corruption as a consequence of these wars, and even at risk of a further proxy war. But no one notices—these wars are forgotten.

Meanwhile, in Myanmar, the Rohingya people, a Muslim minority, have faced decades of persecution. In 2017, a civil war forced over 700,000 Rohingya to flee their homes, seeking refuge in Bangladesh. Many remain in overcrowded camps, living in unrelenting worry and uncertainty. Despite being denied basic rights, the Rohingya continue to face repression. The crisis in Myanmar, despite violating basic human rights, we, internationally, continue to ignore it.

In Colombia, due to the five decades of armed conflict between the government, guerilla groups, and drug cartels, there has been immense suffering. While a peace deal was signed with the FARC guerilla group in 2016, there has been aggression toward indigenous communities, along with the influence of drug cartels, left Colombians no choice but to be forced to leave their homes in search of safety.

2.4 million people in Ethiopia rely on food aid, but support is disappearing. Nearly 10 million people in Sudan are displaced. The crisis in Congo has forcefully affected hundreds of thousands of families, some still yet to reunite. Over 1 million Rohingya refugees remain in Bangladesh. In Colombia, millions of people are forced from their homes due to the ongoing violence. We claim there's an end, but we are not striving for change, leaving countless lives lost as a result of our carelessness.

Where is the need for action? Where is the urgency? Where is humanity?

The crisis is not just war—it is neglect. It is the silence of governments, the apathy of the media, the failure of us as a whole. We have the resources. We have the voice. But are we willing to offer our support?

How many children will be left to suffer in silence before we act? How many futures will be gone before I finish this sentence? The people of Congo, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Burkina Faso, Myanmar, and Colombia—they are not just victims. They are survivors and fighters, trapped in corruption, poverty, and distress. They live in conditions most people can’t bear—where clean water is a luxury, education is a dream, and healthcare is a privilege only a few can afford. Yet, each day, we watch as their leaders exploit them, and their governments show little regard for citizens’ physical and mental abuse. Why do we condone this? Why do we let corruption thrive whilst millions are still vulnerable?

Despite all these factors, there is hope. In refugee camps, no matter their living conditions, communities come together, sharing what they have, no matter how much. In war-torn cities, children still laugh, and families have hope. Activists, aid workers, and ordinary people are fighting back against despair, proving that when united, humanity is not lost. No war, no exploitation, and no amount of torment can destroy the resilience of mankind.

Let us act as artisans of hope. Let us demand justice, and help them. Because they are not just statistics. They are people. The world cannot afford to forget them. And we must not turn away.

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The author, Eliana, is a 14-year-old student at Sacred Heart High School Hammersmith. She has a keen interest in global conflicts, particularly in understanding their impact on victims worldwide. Eliana is especially concerned about why certain issues receive less attention than others, resulting in a lack of humanitarian aid for many countries that desperately need it. Her perspective highlights the uneven global response to crises and the urgent need for greater awareness and support for affected populations.