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6 December 2022<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Excellencies, distinguished delegates,<\/p>\n \n Today\u2019s meeting on strengthening the coordination of the United Nations humanitarian and disaster relief assistance could not come at a more fitting moment.<\/p>\n \n Our world today is in a permanent state of humanitarian emergency.<\/p>\n \n We are breaking all the wrong records.<\/p>\n \n The 2023 Global Humanitarian Overview outlines the trends in stark terms:<\/p>\n \n \n Throughout these crises, gender-based violence, sexual harassment and discrimination, particularly against women and girls, are especially alarming.<\/p>\n \n They say that \u201cstatistics are human beings with the tears wiped off.\u201d<\/p>\n \n This is a powerful image. And a reminder that behind these numbers there are families; children, the elderly, women.<\/p>\n \n They are all of us \u2013 \u201cWe the peoples of the United Nations\u201d.<\/p>\n \n We who have affirmed our faith in \u201cthe dignity and worth of the human person\u201d, as our Charter recalls.<\/p>\n \n Dear Colleagues,<\/p>\n \n As resources struggle to match the scale of need, millions within our UN family of eight billion will lack the basic means to survive even the coming days.<\/p>\n \n We, as the General Assembly, can \u2013 and simply must \u2013 do better.<\/p>\n \n Every Member State should be distressed at the delay or denial of humanitarian access \u2013 and the killing, kidnapping or arbitrary detainment of humanitarian personnel.<\/p>\n \n The 31st<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary of our resolution which created the UN humanitarian system, offers an opportunity to confirm that deep anxiety.<\/p>\n \n This year\u2019s humanitarian omnibus resolution reaffirms the need to strengthen the United Nations response to the complex humanitarian challenges of our time.<\/p>\n \n I urge you to ensure that this resolution reflects a culture of transformative nature.<\/p>\n \n One of the fastest, most effective ways to do this is through the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) \u2013 an agile and proven part of the international humanitarian financing landscape.<\/p>\n \n Investment in the Central Emergency Response Fund is an investment in people.<\/p>\n \n Its basic commitment to \u201cfund for all, by all\u201d embodies this spirit.<\/p>\n \n Through its underfunded emergencies window, the Central Emergency Response Fund works to scale up and sustain protracted relief operations when no other funding is available.<\/p>\n \n This is where you, the Member States, can make a difference.<\/p>\n \n In helping to meet unmet needs.<\/p>\n \n Forging the partnerships that serve the most vulnerable.<\/p>\n \n Development partners, international financial institutions, civil society and the private sector all have a role to play in reducing that exposure.<\/p>\n \n I also welcome the innovative practices to develop locally sustainable solutions, based on the knowledge of the people living there.<\/p>\n \n The first responders, who race to save lives, and remain at crisis scenes long after the global spotlight dims, are the backbone of our humanitarian responses.<\/p>\n \n Whether addressing famine risk in the Horn of Africa, helping those caught in Somalia\u2019s worst drought in 40 years, assisting victims of deadly flooding in Pakistan or providing aid to those affected by the earthquake in Indonesia, they are the first in \u2013 and the last out.<\/p>\n \n All this while working to cover those still in need of COVID-19 vaccines and care.<\/p>\n \n Let us honor their work.<\/p>\n \n Dear Colleagues,<\/p>\n \n Your decisions today truly have the power to transform tomorrow.<\/p>\n \n My appeal is that you look at the needs around you with empathy and solidarity.<\/p>\n \n And see yourselves in those who are suffering.<\/p>\n \n In your discussions, accept and study the data.<\/p>\n \n Evaluate the evidence.<\/p>\n \n Trade in expired ideologies for innovative practical ideas on how to improve coordination.<\/p>\n \n On how to further develop our preparedness, response and recovery efforts.<\/p>\n \n And, above all, \u201cMake a career of humanity,\u201d as Martin Luther King once said.<\/p>\n \n I thank you.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 6 December 2022 \u00a0 Excellencies, distinguished delegates, Today\u2019s meeting on strengthening the coordination of the United Nations humanitarian and disaster relief assistance could not come at a more fitting moment. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" 10 November 2022<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\r\n Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\r\n Afghanistan is in crisis. It is in many crises.<\/p>\r\n It has been 15 months since the Taliban consolidated control over the country.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Its economy is in ruins. The humanitarian situation is disastrous.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/span>Two-thirds of the population is hungry.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/span>Girls and women are banned from learning, having a job or getting proper medical care.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n The country is awash with heroin and opium.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Organized crime and terrorist organizations are thriving once again.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Afghanistan is facing complex and interlinked challenges that the Taliban have shown they cannot \u2013 or would not \u2013 solve.<\/u><\/span><\/p>\r\n It is time to support the Afghan people with concrete solutions that place their needs front and center.<\/p>\r\n It is true that some problems will require some time to resolve.<\/p>\r\n But there are actions the Assembly can take to change the paradigm now.<\/p>\r\n I would like you to consider one solution through solidarity.<\/p>\r\n The UN humanitarian appeal for Afghanistan \u2013 which requires $4.4 billion US dollars \u2013 is only half funded.<\/p>\r\n With winter weather just weeks away, I encourage Member States to provide urgent support to help reduce the $2.3 billion dollar shortfall.<\/p>\r\n Let\u2019s remind ourselves of the old saying from Afghanistan: \u201cA real friend is one who takes the hand of his friend in times of distress and helplessness.\u201d<\/p>\r\n Excellencies,<\/p>\r\n Afghanistan has a rich history of scientific achievement.<\/p>\r\n I encourage the country\u2019s reengagement with the international science community.<\/p>\r\n And\u00a0to allow women who used to be respected members of the country\u2019s science community to resume their research and their studies.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/span>Afghanistan is now the only state in the world that would deny girls their full right to education.<\/p>\r\n The prospect of girls\u2019 education has been left to uncertainty amid seemingly random edicts from the Taliban.<\/p>\r\n This time last year, Fawzia Koofi, the first woman Deputy Speaker of the Afghan Parliament, recalled her dream of one day addressing the UN as the President of Afghanistan.<\/p>\r\n She said:\u00a0\u201cWith me, millions of girls and women in Afghanistan had this dream that now they think will never come true.\u201d<\/p>\r\n Dreams of becoming President have been replaced by the reality of child marriage. Arrests if women and girls leave their home without a male chaperone.<\/p>\r\n I reiterate my call for the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms of all Afghans, especially women and girls.<\/p>\r\n Similarly, I urge the Taliban to ensure the safety of all Afghans, regardless of gender, ethnic background, religious belief or political affiliation.<\/p>\r\n To protect journalists and civil society members.<\/p>\r\n To allow unhindered humanitarian aid, and to cooperate with humanitarian workers.<\/p>\r\n We expect the Taliban to make good on the commitments they made to the international community.\u00a0To show honesty through\u00a0concrete action.<\/p>\r\n Excellencies,<\/p>\r\n The dramatic changes of 2021 have taken a massive toll on Afghanistan\u2019s economy and profoundly widened many security risks.<\/p>\r\n\n