Doha [Qatar], December 12: Strengthening humanitarian diplomacy is imperative to addressing the challenges arising from crises, wars and natural disasters worldwide, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia Abshir Omar Jama has said.
In a session held within the Doha Forum under the theme 'Putting People First: Humanitarian Diplomacy in a Challenging World', he said that humanitarian diplomacy performs a crucial role in curbing these crises since it is based on the idea of bolstering dialogue, cooperation and understanding among a variety of countries of the world, as well as various relevant parties.
The humanitarian diplomacy intends to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people who desperately need it and effectively alleviate their suffering, he added, pointing out that the diplomats operating in the humanitarian field perform a critical role in facing the hurdles that impede the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
The Somalian minister affirmed that giving priority to humans entails fostering partnership between governments, civil society organisations and the private sector, adding that this matter requires forging alliances that go beyond geopolitical interests, as well as giving priority to saving lives and empowering individuals and communities.
He stressed that multi-lateral cooperation is among the core components of humanitarian diplomacy since it contributes to sharing resources, exchange, cooperation and reaching a more inclusive response, pointing out that the prevailing situation in Gaza overtly reveals the desperate need for giving priority to human and strengthening humanitarian diplomacy in this world which is full of challenges.
He pointed out that the persistent conflict and the aggravating humanitarian crisis have resulted in the continuation of the plight of the Gaza population, adding that the international community should count on effective diplomacy to achieve interaction with all relevant parties to deliver emergency humanitarian assistance to the population of the Gaza Strip. He called for addressing the real causes of the conflict and making sure that the rights of all victims, including children and vulnerable people are protected.
In addition, the minister called for curbing the challenges that impede the effectiveness of humanitarian diplomacy through communication, coordination, and response, in addition to leveraging the technology to enhance and facilitate humanitarian efforts, such as early warning systems in the areas that are most susceptible to disasters, as well as utilizing social media platforms to promote awareness and fund-raising.
He called for empowering local communities within the framework of the humanitarian action system and engaging them further in the decision-making process, indicating that local awareness, cultural sensitivity and robust communities are critical factors that should be incorporated into the humanitarian response to ensure the provision of sustainable assistance that are consistent with the nature of local communities.
Source: Qatar Tribune