a crying need
A critical need for someone or something. I decided to join the Red Cross because there is a crying need for medical workers in underdeveloped countries.
crying need (for someone or something)
Fig. a definite or desperate need for someone or something. There is a crying need for someone to come in and straighten things out. All the people in that area have a crying need for a local hospital.
a crying ˈneed (for something)
a great and urgent need for something: There’s a crying need for more roads, but at the same time the wildlife needs to be preserved.