Crises up close: How life in emergencies shapes everyday life

Crises up close: How life in emergencies shapes everyday life

in a world full of crises - be it the continuing war in Ukraine, the unstable situation in the Middle East or the worrying consequences of climate change - many people feel increasingly overwhelmed. The report "difficult lot. Life in crisis mode.", Which is broadcast on Friday, March 14, 2025, in the ORF correspondent magazine "worldwide", illuminates the oppressive reality of people in crisis areas, such as in Syria, Venezuela and Mayotte. The reporters Rosa Lyon, Isabella Purkart and Leonie Heitz have documented impressive stories of survivors who have had to live under extreme conditions for years, such as apa.at reported

Rosa Lyon described the devastating living conditions in Syria, which have improved a little after the fall of the ruler Bashar al-Assad, but are still shaped by violence and uncertainty. 15-year-old Yasmen Saeed shows how she deals with an unstable future. In Venezuela, a country that was once rich in oil reserves, the political and humanitarian situation has deteriorated dramatically. Isabella Purkart tells of the fears and hopes of the people, both the regime's supporters and the opposition. Leonie Heitz represents the catastrophic effects of climate change on Mayotte - after a devastating cyclone, the residents fight every day against the consequences of the rising sea level and the destruction of their habitats.

hope in times of crisis

Due to the serious global challenges, a diffuse fear of the future grew in society. Climate change, species death and pollution create an atmosphere of resignation, while the capitalist growth paranoia continues. Despite the overwhelming reality, many people, such as the Deutschlandfunk Kultur , always joy in life. The contradiction between the pressing problems and the individual joie de vivre is becoming increasingly obvious. While science warns against ecological challenges, people remain sociable and lively due to their ability to affirm life despite all adversities.

Despite the deep despair, there are always bright spots: the ability of people to take their existence and create positive moments shows that hope for a better future, as it may be, is not completely lost. In the midst of all crises, those affected shape their everyday life and fight tirelessly for a worthy life, which makes them an impressive symbol of the will to survive.