The year 2025 will be remembered as a period of immense hardship and upheaval for countless families worldwide. It was a year where unrelenting natural disasters and protracted conflicts reshaped communities, forcing millions to confront loss and embark on the daunting journey of rebuilding.
Wars and Humanitarian Crises Deepen
The grinding wars in Gaza and Ukraine continued to displace millions, creating severe humanitarian emergencies. In the Middle East, the Israel-Hamas conflict triggered a catastrophic situation in Gaza, with a global hunger monitor declaring famine in parts of the strip. The United Nations condemned the rapidly worsening humanitarian disaster.
Meanwhile, the Russia-Ukraine war saw tensions escalate further. As Russian missiles targeted Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's diplomatic mission to Washington culminated in a public clash with US President Donald Trump. In a separate flare-up, Israel and Iran engaged in a 12-day aerial conflict in June, marking a significant escalation between the regional rivals.
Climate Change Fuels Global Devastation
The escalating impacts of climate change were felt across the globe through a series of extreme weather events. In the United States, the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire ignited on January 7, 2025, laying waste to a Los Angeles suburb. These twin blazes destroyed nearly 16,250 structures, affected 41,000 people, and claimed 29 lives, ranking as the second and third most destructive wildfires in California's history.
The Caribbean was not spared, as Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest storms to hit the region, devastated Jamaica in November, leaving a trail of destruction. India faced its own climate-driven challenges, with more than four cyclones forming in the Bay of Bengal during October and November. Cyclone Montha was the most destructive, causing nearly ₹53 billion in damage, with Andhra Pradesh bearing the brunt of the impact.
Tragedy Strikes India: The Ahmedabad Air Crash
A profound national tragedy occurred on June 12, 2025, when an Air India aircraft crashed just 32 seconds after takeoff. The disaster resulted in the deaths of 241 people on board and 19 on the ground. In a miraculous turn of events, a single survivor walked away from the wreckage, which scattered over a building in Ahmedabad.
Amidst these crises, global migration patterns worsened, with thousands undertaking perilous journeys across borders and seas in search of safety and a better future. The photographs from this extraordinary year bear witness to the resilience and suffering that defined 2025 for people across nations.
