This month, the United Nations launched its humanitarian appeal for 2015, just like it always does around this time of the year. Except this time, it is the biggest appeal in the history of the organisation, calling for $16.4 billion to assist 57.5 million people in 22 countries over the coming 12 months. Humanitarian appeals are growing at a historic rate and, if the last three or four years’ trend continues, could top US$30 billion by the end of the decade. But what else are the numbers telling us about the state of the world as a new year begins, and what do they suggest about the state of the humanitarian system?
