Jackline Kemigisa, a journalist and podcaster based in Kampala, Uganda, says a recent BBC news clip of an interview with former Ukrainian official David Sakvarelidze makes that point in stark - and offensive - terms.

'Generally speaking, it seems reasonable for any society to care more about conflicts that are geographically closer, share a social identity (which could include race and religion), share a language or share an imperial or colonial history,' Blattman wrote in an email to NPR. Some observers point to other reasons for the Western world's interest in Ukraine. 'In the same breath,' she adds, 'it would be good to have this kind of attention to all crises relating to war, famine and natural disasters in the world.' Societies often care more about conflicts they relate to 'Human suffering of that nature should be covered hugely and on a global scale.' 'My first reaction was: fantastic,' she says. She has many family members in that region of Ethiopia.Ībraha does not object to the massive and ongoing media blitz in Ukraine.

That crisis has largely been ignored by the world, says Magdalene Abraha, a writer in London of Tigrayan heritage. Ukraine invasion - explained Race, culture and politics underpin how - or if - refugees are welcomed in Europeīut what about other wars going on right now? In the Tigray region of Ethiopia, for example, a conflict that started in 2020 has led to thousands of casualties and displaced an estimated 2 million people.

Is ukraine still at war 2020