We must focus our diplomatic efforts on resolving crises and protecting the most vulnerable: UK statement at the UN General Assembly
Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN General Assembly meeting on the strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations.
Today, we come together to reflect on another year of dire humanitarian needs and sobering milestones. 2024 was the deadliest year on record for humanitarian personnel, famine was confirmed in Sudan and polio returned to Gaza for the first time in 25 years.
In the face of such challenges, we must look ahead and we must step-up.
The UN estimates that in 2025, 305 million people will require humanitarian assistance. Behind this staggering number are individuals. Men, women and children, whose homes have been destroyed, families ripped apart by the impacts of conflict and climate change.
These 305 million people are looking to us, and asking us to do better.
The UK is committed to doing just that.
First, meeting these needs requires funding. This financial year we have provided over $1 billion in response to humanitarian crises around the world. And just this morning my Prime Minister announced an additional $14 million in humanitarian support for the people of Syria. We will continue to be a leading humanitarian donor in 2025.
Second, we must focus on prevention.
We need to strengthen the international humanitarian, development, climate and peace architecture, to better predict and prevent crises.
We can do this by scaling-up early warning, building community resilience and empowering locally-led solutions. Through investment in the Resilience and Adaptation Fund, the UK is supporting thousands of families in places like Ethiopia and Bangladesh, to withstand shocks and build local capacity in the long-term.
Finally, we must focus our political and diplomatic efforts on preventing and resolving crises and protecting the most vulnerable.
Humanitarians cannot solve the world’s problems alone.
Last month, my Foreign Secretary doubled UK aid to Sudan, providing an extra $143 million, and we brought a resolution to the Security Council to increase aid access and protect civilians.
In 2025 we will keep demanding action to protect the people of Sudan. We will use our seat on the UN Security Council to call for unimpeded humanitarian access, protection of humanitarian personnel and an end to conflict in Sudan, Gaza, Myanmar and other crises across the world.
Colleagues, as we look to a difficult year ahead, let’s remind ourselves what is at stake. Not only 305 million people in need, but our shared humanity.
Let’s work together to make next year better than the last.