Vietnam stresses remedies to world humanitarian issues

New York (VNA) – C onflict solution and prevention, eradication of hunger, reduction of poverty, and the improvement of living conditions for populations in conflict zones, are crucial remedies to the root causes of humanitarian issues, said a Vietnamese diplomat.

Ambassador Bui The Giang, Vietnamese Deputy Representative to the United Nations Security Council, made the statement at a council debate on the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)’s report in New York on January 8.

The Vietnamese representative suggested that greater focus should be reserved for repatriation and reintegration, which require combined efforts from multi-stakeholders, including UN agencies, the World Bank, and regional and international NGOs and civil society groups.

He said that Vietnam recognised the efforts made so far, and the resulting initial progress in repatriating refugees, and reintegrating them into their own communities.

The ambassador, however, expressed deep concerns about the increasing displacement in many parts of the world, as well as challenges in protecting refugees in conflict areas and ensuring humanitarian access for them.

“We are dismayed that refugees in conflict areas, first of all women and children, continue to fall victims to killings, maimings and all sorts of gender-based violence,” he said.

The current situation in Afghanistan , in some countries in South Asia and Africa, and most notably in Gaza , where 1.5 million inhabitants are terribly victimized by the humanitarian crisis, calls for greater humanitarian efforts, he added.

While again confirming the primary responsibility of states in meeting the humanitarian needs of their respective civilian populations, the Vietnamese diplomat emphasised UNHCR’s role, and the need for its coordination with other relevant UN bodies, such as the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict and UN field missions.

“In order for humanitarian activities to be effective and efficient, humanitarian access must not be politicised, but must instead be strictly adherent to the principle of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and in conformity with national and international laws,” Giang said in conclusion.-