Top United Nations officials have recently issued warnings regarding an emerging humanitarian crisis in the Middle East and North Africa.

The UN Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Stephen O’Brien called the crisis the worst since World War II. He highlights four countries in particular where suffering from natural disasters is exacerbated by political conflicts.

Today on Current Affairs, we explore the factors contributing to the crisis and how humanitarian assistance should be provided under the current political and economic climate.

This is a report by Tan Zhai Yun.