Dear Editor,
The United Nations and the Red Cross have jointly issued a statement reprimanding world leaders for their inaction and accusing them of “disturbing paralysis” in the face of serious conflicts.
This is the first time both organisations have come together in condemnation of world leaders for their failure to deal with grave humanitarian crises which in their words ‘flouts the very raison d’etre of the United Nations.’
An appeal was made to world leaders to take immediate and concrete measures to ease the plight of civilians in places such as Afghanistan, Syria, Nigeria, Yemen and South Sudan among others.
According to Red Cross Head Peter Maurer, some 60 million people globally had been displaced from their homes because of conflict and violence, the highest figure since World War Two.
The UN estimates that more than 700,000 people have crossed to Europe by boat so far for this year, a significant number of whom failed to make the journey because of the treacherous waters.
The UN and the Red Cross must be commended for drawing world attention to the humanitarian crisis which has now reached disturbing proportions.
Yours faithfully,
Hydar Ally