United Nations (TDI): Pakistan has called for urgent global efforts to address humanitarian crises driven by foreign occupation and climate change, warning that these challenges threaten the well-being of over 300 million affected individuals worldwide.
Addressing a UN General Assembly debate on humanitarian assistance, Pakistan’s acting Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, highlighted that conflicts have reached unprecedented levels since 1945, with 308.5 million people requiring humanitarian aid and protection.
Commending the work of UN humanitarian agencies, especially UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees), Ambassador Jadoon lauded their resilience amid escalating violence in Gaza, where 228 UNRWA staff members have been killed since October 7.
The envoy condemned Israel’s alleged attempts to dismantle UNRWA’s operations, terming them a violation of international law and UN mandates.
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He urged member states to take decisive steps to end Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and hold it accountable for alleged war crimes.
Turning to climate challenges, Ambassador Jadoon underscored the growing impact of natural disasters such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves, which disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including women, children, and those in conflict-affected regions.
“Disasters erode resilience and deepen vulnerabilities,” he said, referencing Pakistan’s own experience with severe climate-related emergencies in recent years.
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The envoy called for enhanced adherence to international humanitarian law, robust enforcement of Geneva Conventions, and resource mobilization through innovative financing mechanisms to address the dual crises of conflict and climate change.
Stressing the importance of disaster preparedness and resilience-building, he urged member states and UN agencies to scale up efforts on early warning systems and risk reduction strategies.
“Without decisive action, we risk the well-being of both current and future generations,” he warned. “The time to act is now.”
