Amid Record Levels of Humanitarian Need, International Community Must Better Assist Civilians Trapped in Conflict, Disasters, Secretary-General Tells Forum

(Delayed for technical reasons)

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum, in Riyadh on 26 February:

I thank the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for organizing this forum.

With humanitarian needs higher than ever, we must do more to assist the most vulnerable and ensure the protection of civilians.  Crises in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Libya and the occupied Palestinian territory are causing horrendous suffering.  Yet humanitarians face numerous obstacles, including life-threatening ones, reaching people in need.

Humanitarian action works, and timely action is crucial.  Last year, the international community helped to avert famine in South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and north-eastern Nigeria.  Support by donors made the difference between life and death.

I call on global and local leaders, Governments and people everywhere to show solidarity with all those caught up in conflict, disaster or instability.