The 10 most-read CARE News & Stories features from 2024

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has plunged millions of Palestinians into literal and figurative darkness. Analysis of satellite imagery revealed an alarming 84% decrease in nighttime light over the first five months of the conflict.

By the end of 2024, ongoing violence forced more than 12 million people d from their homes in Sudan and neighboring Chad. This story focussed on the experiences of women like Maria, Teissir, Oumina, and Amani, who faced severe dehydration, malnutrition, and trauma as they struggled to survive the largest displacement crisis in the world.

Despite Sierra Leone having some of the highest global maternal and neonatal mortality rates, Zainab, a dedicated nurse in a rural village in Sierra Leone has not lost a single patient during her tenure. She’s become a beacon of hope in her region, fostering a safe, supportive, and loving environment for mothers and their babies.

In Tigray, the northernmost regional state in Ethiopia, access to clean water is critical for survival—especially after the devastating conflict that began in 2020 and severely damaged Tigray’s water infrastructure. While a community water committee, aided by CARE and local partners, has implemented a solar-powered water pump to improve access, water remains scarce and rationing is still necessary.

Inspired by the needs of her community, Kadiatu Turay, a nurse-in-training at the Matufuli Maternal and Child Health Post in Sierra Leone, is committed to improving healthcare for pregnant women and new mothers while following her own dreams. CARE featured her here as part of the “She Leads the World” collaboration with Nigel Barker for International Women’s Day.

Dalmar Ainashe’s deeply personal story, as told to Hillol Sobhan, of living through famine as a child in Somalia, and now working to stop it around the world as an adult.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has left millions of Palestinians struggling to survive in dire conditions. Displaced from their homes, they face hunger, disease, and harsh weather in makeshift shelters. The situation has become increasingly catastrophic, with humanitarian organizations calling for a ceasefire, while warning of imminent famine and significant risks to vulnerable populations.

Haiti is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, one marked by rampant gang violence and the breakdown of public systems, leading to widespread displacement and food insecurity. Local organizations like Initiative pour le Développement des Jeunes (IDEJEN), led by Guerda Previlon, are stepping up to support affected families, but challenges remain due to the deteriorating security situation and lack of resources. CARE spoke to Previlon to learn more.

In January of last year, CARE was able to distribute limited relief such as hygiene kits to shelters in Gaza City for the first time since October 7. Despite these efforts, the region’s infrastructure had already been severely damaged, complicating further aid distributions then and now. The need for a ceasefire is critical to ensure the safety of aid workers and the delivery of much-needed assistance to those in desperate need.

The crisis in Gaza has forced families to face starvation, inadequate healthcare, and severe water shortages. At the time of publication, a staggering 80% of the global population experiencing famine was in Gaza, with 577,000 Palestinians facing catastrophic hunger. UNICEF warned of an impending malnutrition crisis among children, alongside a reported 300% increase in miscarriage rates among pregnant women.

Looking forward . . .

Whether you’re a long-time reader of CARE News or found our stories more recently, thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we are working toward a future of hope, inclusion, and social justice—a future free from poverty, where all people live with dignity and security.
As we reflect on 2024’s most impactful moments, we’re inspired to tell even more stories that spark change, highlight resilience, and help save lives in the coming years.

Here’s to 2025, and to all the stories yet to be written.