UNITED NATIONS, May 23 (APP): Ahead of the opening of the World Humanitarian Summit on Monday, Senior United Nations officials said that the global event would serve as a wake-up call for action in the service of common humanity, providing a launch pad for new initiatives.
“We have tremendous suffering in the world today. There is huge need for us to show solidarity with those who are affected by natural disasters and man-made disasters,” UN Deputy Secretary-General Eliasson told reporters at a press conference in Istanbul, according to the information released at UN Headquarters in New York.
“In the meeting here in Istanbul, always think of the people who are affected, the victims. This conference is about the victims, and having a more effective way of reaching out to help them,” he continued, recalling his recent visits to Nepal and Vietnam where he met with vulnerable communities to learn directly about their plight.