a crying need for
US /ə ˈkraɪɪŋ niːd fɔːr/
UK /ə ˈkraɪɪŋ niːd fɔːr/

1.
a very great and urgent need for something
:
•
There is a crying need for better public transportation in this city.
•
The charity highlighted a crying need for clean water in remote villages.