Despite Funding Cuts, UN Will Aid Conflict-Affected 250 Million

News Desk

Islamabad: Despite the drop in humanitarian aid, the United Nations and its partners have set a goal of helping 250 million people around the world affected by conflict and other crises.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that as the crisis escalates, humanitarian aid providers are being forced to cut aid to millions of people in need which is unacceptable.

United Nations expressed this determination on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day which is celebrated every year on August 19 in memory of the day in 2003 when the Canal Hotel in Baghdad was destroyed.

A suicide bomber detonated a truck full of explosives outside the UN headquarters. Among the personnel killed in the attack was the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who was also the head of the UN mission in Iraq.

Why do we mark #WorldHumanitarianDay?

⚪️To pay tribute to the victims of the Canal Hotel tragedy 20 years ago.
⚪️To honour the courage of humanitarians who risk it all for others.
⚪️To recommit ourselves to stand with those in need, #NoMatterWhat.
🔘All of the above. pic.twitter.com/AzP6HAmDaR

— Martin Griffiths (@UNReliefChief) August 16, 2023

Citing the growing geopolitical tension, flagrant violations of international human rights and related law, deliberate attacks, and disinformation campaigns, Guterres added that the threats faced by humanitarians have also increased manifold.

In 235 attacks last year, 444 aid workers were victims of violence; 116 of these volunteers were killed, 143 were injured and 185 were kidnapped, most of them nationals working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) stated that its relief efforts span over 40 countries, from essential medical services, clean water and education to providing protection to displaced people. There are also some regions that are inaccessible and pose serious security risks.

In its report ‘Early Needs Identification Report of Monsoon Flood affected Areas in Pakistan’, IRC has adopted a multi-sectoral assessment approach to identify the needs of the affected population in 8 districts of Pakistan, namely Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, Dadu, Qamber Shahdad Kot, Rajanpur, Naseerabad, Jafarabad and Kharan

The monsoon rains have also adversely affected the livestock sector, particularly in Balochistan and Sindh, where thousands of cattle could not be saved, stated report.

As far as the infrastructure is concerned, 2652 houses were completely destroyed in these districts, while 3284 houses were partially damaged with Sindh and Balochistan suffering most infrastructural damages, with Sindh and Balochistan suffering most infrastructural damages.