16 fragile and failed states

16 fragile and failed states

As we continue our journey around the globe, there are some areas of the world we need to avoid. Instability and unrest in these regions often make them unsafe or irresponsible choices for tourists.

When we make the very simple decision not to leave, it is easy to forget that these failed states are home to millions of people who struggle every day, if not for survival, then for a very basic level of well-being.

Below we take a look at some of these failed states and the daunting problems they face.

Measurement error

Every year, the nonprofit organization Fund for Peace publishes its Fragile States Index, formerly known as the “Failed States Index.” This is an assessment of each UN member state based on 12 indicators, including social, economic, political and military factors.

It rates each condition up to a maximum of 10 under each indicator, with 10 being bad and 1 being good. The higher the score, the worse the condition.

We list the 16 worst states, those that scored above 100 out of a maximum of 120 points and are therefore given “very high alert” or “high alert” status in terms of their fragility – or, to be less politically correct, failure – as functioning states.

alt=“Failed States Heatmap 2014″>Fund for Peace

South Sudan

Rank: 1. Score: 112.92013 Rank: 4. Key Concerns: Public services, human rights, security, factional elites, external intervention, refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), group grievances

alt="south-sudan-failed-state">U.N.

Since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, this young country has struggled to live up to the expectations heaped on it internationally.

The new state suffers massively from ethnic tensions and a lack of internal resources, making it unable to deal with the growing number of social, economic, political and military problems. The country performed worryingly well in several indicator categories, receiving an overall score of 112.9 out of 120.

Somalia

Rank: 2. Score: 112.62013 Rank: 1. Main concern: Refugees and internally displaced people, factional elites

alt="somalia-failed-state">U.N.

Somalia has just been “removed” from its number one position, which it has held since 2008. The war-torn state still suffers massively from social tensions, piracy and local and national leaders fighting for military control.

Central African Republic

Rank: 3. Score: 110.62013 Rank: 9. Main concerns: Refugees and internally displaced persons, external intervention

alt="caf-failed-state">U.N.

The CAR jumped from 9th to 3rd place with all of its indicators worsening. Religious violence across the country has left over 200,000 internally displaced, prompting UN chief Ban Ki-moon to say the Central African Republic has suffered a "total breakdown of law and order".

Democratic Republic of Congo

Rank: 4th Score: 110,2013 Rank: 2nd Main Concerns: Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, Human Rights, External Intervention

alt="dr-congo-failed-state">U.N.

After the ceasefire declared by the M23 rebels in February 2013, the Democratic Republic of Congo reversed its upward trend and caused the index to fall for the first time in years. The biggest improvement was in the safety indicator. However, several human rights violations continue to occur across the country.

Sudan

Rank: 5th Score: 110.12013 Rank: 3rd Main Concern: Group grievances, factional elites

alt="sudan-failed-state">U.N.

The conflict between Sudan and South Sudan has ended, although internal violence flared dramatically in Darfur in 2014. Large-scale protests across the country against government cuts to fuel subsidies have been met with violent crackdowns that have left scores of protesters dead.

Chad

Rank: 6th Score: 108.72013 Rank: 5th Main Concerns: Public Services, Factional Elites, Refugees and Internally Displaced People

alt="Chad-failed-state">U.N.

Despite Chad's relentless battle against internal poverty, the country continues to host large numbers of displaced refugees from neighboring countries, including around 60,000 from Sudan fleeing the conflict in Darfur and 12,000 from the Central African Republic. The country simply cannot handle it.

Afghanistan

Rank: 7th Result: 106.52013 Rank: 7th Main concern: Security apparatus, outside intervention

alt="afghanistan-failed-state">U.N.

The large-scale withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan has only highlighted how ill-prepared the Afghan army and government are to address the country's extensive problems. Corruption, drugs and extremism continue to run rampant across the country.

Yemen

Rank: 8th Score: 105.42013 Rank: 6th Main Concerns: Security apparatus, group grievances, factional elites

alt="Yemen-failed-state">U.N.

Yemen has improved economically in the last year and the country's stability is definitely healthier than in recent years. Despite the US drone strikes, Al-Qaeda affiliates continue to operate in the country.

Haiti

Rank: 9th Score: 104.32013 Rank: 8th Main concerns: uneven development, external interference, public services

alt="haiti-failed-state">U.N.

Haiti just can't catch a break. Since the devastating earthquake of 2010, the country has been hit by a cholera epidemic. Despite the significant aid it receives, political and social unrest has thwarted the real push for change through high levels of corruption at local and national government levels.

Pakistan

Rank: 10thScore: 103.02013 Rank: 13. Main concerns: group complaints, security apparatus

alt="pakistan-failed-state">U.N.

A large number of bombings across the country and arrests at the central government level mean Pakistan has climbed up the index. This is deeply worrying given that the country is a nuclear power located in one of the most volatile regions in the world.

Zimbabwe

Rank: 11th Score: 102.82013 Rank: 10th Main Concerns: Legitimacy of the State, Fragmented Elites

alt="zimbabwe-failed-state">U.N.

After three decades, Zimbabwe continues to wither under one of the world's most authoritarian dictators, Robert Mugabe. The country has more than a million people living with HIV/AIDS and one of the lowest life expectancies in the world. Elections are plagued by allegations of voter fraud, intimidation and fraud.

Guinea

Rank: 12th Score: 102.72013 Rank: 14th Main concerns: Poverty and economic decline, legitimacy of the state

alt="the UN in Guinea">U.N.

After a series of juntas and coups in recent years, Guinea is struggling to form a recognized and legitimate government. Guinea is currently at the center of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, giving it a grim outlook for the near future in terms of its humanitarian situation.

Iraq

Rank: 13th Score: 102,2013 Rank: 11th Main Concerns: Group grievances, security apparatus, factional elites

alt=“Iraqi civilians”>U.N.

Iraq remains one of the most violent and unstable countries in the world. Since the withdrawal of US forces in 2011, terrorism and internal violence have continued, with thousands of violent deaths in 2014 alone. Bombings and attacks are almost commonplace.

Ivory Coast

Rank: 14. Score: 101.72013 Rank: 12. Main concerns: factional elites, external intervention

alt="Refugees in Ivory Coast">U.N.

Cote d'Ivoire has suffered two deadly civil wars in the past 12 years and now has thousands of UN peacekeepers in its country. Aggressive local leaders continue to disrupt the country as they fight for overall control. Recent elections and an improving economy have helped slightly improve the country's position.

Syria

Rank: 15. Score: 101.62013 Rank: 21. Main concerns: Refugees and internally displaced persons, security apparatus, group grievances

alt=“a child in Syria”>U.N.

The ongoing Syrian civil war began in 2011 as a chain of peaceful protests followed by a crackdown by the Syrian army. Since the violence began, more than 100,000 people have been killed, including 11,000 children. In addition, over 2.1 million Syrian refugees have fled to neighboring countries.

Guinea Bissau

Rank: 16th Score: 100.62013 Rank: 15th Main Concerns: Factional Elites, External Intervention, Public Services

alt="Guinea-Bissau">U.N.

Guinea-Bissau has long struggled to improve its position in this dismal index. The country suffers miserably from long-term poverty and a collapsed economy. More than two thirds of the population live below the poverty line.

Mission statement: un.org

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