a complex emergency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a complex emergency" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts related to humanitarian crises, where multiple factors contribute to a situation requiring urgent response. Example: "The region is facing a complex emergency due to ongoing conflict, natural disasters, and widespread food insecurity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

The resilience of a population to the effects of a complex emergency has many social, cultural, and political determinants.

Britannica

Today, we're relying on 'flicker' journalists, who have little idea of a complex emergency or a conflict.

The New York Times

Use this role-play activity to help key stage 3 students identify which people are most vulnerable in a complex emergency.

The Guardian

It presented a complex emergency for the UN and aid agencies, who needed the co-operation of the government and the Buddhist community to get basic aid to the Rohingya.

BBC

"It's a complex emergency," he said.

Vice

"It's a complex emergency.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Michelle Brooks is a Complex Emergencies Specialist and Academic specialising in the area of Counter Terrorism.

Huffington Post

In 2015, the CEE/CIS Regional Office facilitated the expansion of UNICEF capacities and operational systems in the Ukraine to support a protracted, complex emergency response.

Unicef

Photos contributed by 23 renowned independent Japanese photographers, and 25 Japanese newspapers and wire services show a small part of what the Japan Committee for UNICEF was able to do for Japanese children in a very complex emergency.

Unicef

Conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories--a humanitarian complex emergency--have affected the Middle East region for decades.

Huffington Post

The fallout from the tropical storm has affected almost 2 millions people, and now the first cases of cholera are complicating an already complex emergency.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation as "a complex emergency", be specific about the factors that contribute to its complexity. Providing details about the intertwined issues will enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a complex emergency" as a general descriptor for any crisis. Reserve it for situations where multiple interconnected factors create significant challenges for response and resolution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a complex emergency" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective 'complex' modifies the noun 'emergency'. It identifies and categorizes a specific type of emergency characterized by multiple interacting factors. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Formal & Business

37%

News & Media

33%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a complex emergency" is a descriptor used to characterize a crisis situation involving multiple, intertwined factors, as confirmed by Ludwig. Common in news, formal reports, and scientific literature, it is grammatically correct and serves to classify and emphasize the complicated nature of a situation. When using this phrase, specificity regarding the contributing factors enhances clarity. Alternative phrases include "a multifaceted crisis" or "a complicated disaster", offering slight variations in emphasis. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and relevance in describing challenging situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a multifaceted crisis

Replaces "emergency" with "crisis" and "complex" with "multifaceted", emphasizing the multiple aspects of the situation.

a complicated disaster

Substitutes "complex" with "complicated" and "emergency" with "disaster", focusing on the intricate and calamitous nature of the event.

a multifaceted humanitarian crisis

Combines "multifaceted" and "crisis" offering a stronger emphasis on the humanitarian aspect.

a dire emergency

Replaces "complex" with "dire" to highlight the severity and urgency of the situation.

a challenging crisis situation

Replaces "complex emergency" with a more descriptive phrase focusing on the difficulty of the crisis.

a difficult emergency

A simpler substitution for "complex", focusing on the challenging nature of the situation.

a protracted crisis

Focuses on the long-lasting nature of the emergency, rather than its complexity.

a complicated humanitarian situation

Focuses on the challenging and humanitarian dimension.

a severe humanitarian crisis

Underlines the severity and scope of the crisis, specifically within a humanitarian context.

a critical situation

Highlights the urgency and importance of addressing the situation.

FAQs

What is meant by "a complex emergency"?

The report defines "a complex emergency" as a situation of armed conflict, population displacement, food insecurity, or some combination of these with an associated increase in mortality and malnutrition.

How can I use "a complex emergency" in a sentence?

You might say, "The country is facing "a complex emergency" due to political instability and natural disasters".

What are some alternative phrases for "a complex emergency"?

Consider using alternatives like "a multifaceted crisis", "a complicated disaster", or "a challenging situation" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to describe something as "a complex emergency"?

Use "a complex emergency" when describing a situation where multiple factors intertwine to create a challenging and urgent crisis, such as conflict combined with food insecurity and displacement.