UNHCR Chief: We Can Act on Gaza, Ukraine, West Bank Atrocities
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UNHCR Chief Warns of Eroding Humanitarian Norms and Funding Crisis
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filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, has issued a stark warning about the intentional erosion of humanitarian norms and a critical funding shortfall hindering aid efforts worldwide. His remarks, delivered amidst escalating global crises, emphasize the need for a more inclusive and sustainable approach to refugee support.
The Deliberate Abandonment of Humanitarian Norms
Filippo Grandi, speaking on November 21, 2023, condemned the increasing disregard for international humanitarian law, citing atrocities in Gaza, the West Bank, Ukraine, Sudan, and Myanmar as evidence of a disturbing trend. he stated that these events demonstrate a “deliberate abandonment of norms in the name of violent power, conducted with complete impunity by States and non-State entities alike.” UN News reported on his address to the UN Security Council.
Grandi highlighted especially egregious examples, including civilians killed while queuing for food, massacres in displacement camps, and the deliberate targeting of hospitals and schools. He argued that these actions are not accidental but represent a calculated effort to instill fear and exert control, ultimately aiming “to make us feel powerless.”
Funding Crisis and the Need for Inclusive Solutions
The UNHCR chief also addressed the “incredibly damaging” impact of dwindling funding for humanitarian work, coinciding with a surge in global emergencies. He called for a shift towards more inclusive and sustainable responses to displacement.
Grandi emphasized that inclusion is contingent upon host countries providing refugees with access to essential services, employment opportunities, and freedom of movement.”By opening up access to services and jobs, by lifting restrictions on freedom of movement, by investing in the potential of refugees, host countries generate economic and social dividends, both for themselves and for refugees,” he asserted. UNHCR details his full remarks.
According to UNHCR data, global displacement reached a record high of 114 million people by the end of 2023. UNHCR Figures at a Glance. This includes refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons, and other people in need of international protection.
About Filippo Grandi and UNHCR
Filippo Grandi, an Italian national, is the 11th UN High Commissioner for Refugees. He was elected by the UN General Assembly and assumed office on January 1, 2016. His current term is set to conclude on December 31, 2023. UNHCR Leadership provides biographical data.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established in 1950 to protect refugees and displaced people worldwide. It has been recognized twice with the Nobel Peace Prize, in 1954 and 1981, for its humanitarian efforts. UNHCR History details the institution’s origins and achievements.