World Must Never Meet Suffering with Indifference, Deputy Secretary-General Tells High-Level Panel on Principle of Humanity, Stresses Change Is ‘Sorely’ Needed
I thank the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Government of Kuwait for organizing this important discussion. Kuwait has, in recent years, become a humanitarian champion, showing leadership in human solidarity.
Let me also congratulate the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement as they celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their Fundamental Principles. These Principles, first proclaimed in Vienna [in] 1965, have done so much to highlight the necessity for humane conduct during conflict.
It is the first and most fundamental of these principles that is the theme of today’s meeting: the principle of humanity.
“Humanity” is not just one of the guiding tenets of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and indeed also for the United Nations; it is, I would claim, a basic human instinct. Preventing and alleviating human suffering is a fundamental driving force for most of us. The pain felt by so many around the world at that haunting image of Aylan Kurdi lying lifeless on a Turkish beach is testament to this.
But, like all of our better instincts, it must be channelled into joint action if we are to see lasting change in the world. At this moment in history, we know that change is sorely needed.
Today, an unprecedented 100 million people require humanitarian aid and protection to survive. A staggering 60 million people around the world have been displaced by war, conflict or persecution — more than at any other time since the Second World War. This is simply untenable.
The size of [United Nations] humanitarian appeals has increased nearly six-fold in just over 10 years. Generous donors, like Kuwait, commit more funds every year. Yet, the gap between needs and resources is wider than ever.
Violent conflicts, such as in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and South Sudan, are triggering the bulk of these needs. It is deeply saddening to note that religion, sect, tribe or ethnicity are used by extremist groups to aggravate conflicts and to agitate for man’s inhumanity against man.
Moreover, blatant, open brutality seems to grow ever more intense around the world. We see civilians — including children — detained, injured and killed. We see houses, schools and hospitals attacked. We see media and aid workers targeted with impunity. We see relief supplies looted and diverted. Whereas once the symbol of the red cross, the red crescent or the blue helmet afforded protection for its bearer, it is now increasingly a target.
At the same time, we see deepening divisions at the political level, which have left the international community, not least the Security Council, in deadlock on conflicts such as Syria and Ukraine. And the effects of refugee flow to Europe have reminded us of how the rhetoric of fear and hatred can poison domestic political agendas.
In such a moment as this, many people are asking: where is our humanity? Where is the will to help? I could point to the civilians in Syria pulling people from crumbling buildings whenever a bomb has hit. I could point to ordinary people around Europe who are welcoming refugees into their communities.
These examples show us that responding to the suffering of others is a common human impulse — one that can flourish in even the most unlikely circumstances, far beyond our own families. But, such principled responses by individuals are so easily and tragically reversed when the prevailing political realities allow violence and displacement to proliferate ever further. How can we not feel shamed by the humanity demonstrated by those heroic Syrians, when the international community is not standing shoulder to shoulder behind them to end the war?
When we unite around common principles, we can achieve so much. On Friday, world leaders gavelled a visionary development agenda for the next 15 years — one which has the scope to make good on its promise to “leave no one behind”.
This December, in Geneva, representatives from the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, from national Governments and from partner organizations will gather for the thirty-second International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. This Conference will provide an indispensable opportunity to rally the international community, as we seek to better respond to human suffering around the world today.
Serious efforts in Paris this December can also alleviate the impact of climate change and extreme weather events for the poorest and most vulnerable people and nations.
And next year’s World Humanitarian Summit will give energy to our efforts to place people at the centre. These meetings must be rallying cries for humanity, providing a new vision to meet the needs of millions of people, particularly those affected by conflict.
We are witnessing a uniquely challenging and paradoxical moment. The world is richer than ever, and is making great progress in helping the most vulnerable.
But, at the same time, we see pockets of terrible poverty and deprivation, particularly in conflicts, but also in the heart of nations, rich and poor. For humanitarians, this dichotomy is not new. They are witness to the very worst and the very best of human behaviour.
So, let us strive to tip the balance in favour of the better instincts of our nature. The international community must never meet suffering with indifference. While divisions and disagreements persist, the principle of humanity is the moral compass that can point to a common direction. Let us therefore unite around this fundamental principle. I thank you.