It has been a privilege to work closely with seven different High Commissioners each facing different challenges. Permit me to round off my personal participation by paying tribute to two of them who have meant most to my own development as a humanitarian worker – Prince Sadruddin Aga Kahn and Jean-Pierre Hocké.
My organisation, Africa Humanitarian Action, actively participates in the international humanitarian dialogue – whenever possible pleading the African case. But mostly we are present on the ground. Where daily we have to look at the origins of peoples’ misery, and everywhere we recognise the world within the local.
Therefore, we seize this opportunity to renew the appeal to the UNHCR to look at the origins of your partners and make greater efforts to enhance those of local origin who, any ways bear the brunt of the load before the international humanitarian order sets in. This request amounts to no more than asking for the implementation of what has been discussed and agreed for decades – over and over again. But like the situation in Gambella – little changes.
For most of its 60-year history, the UNHCR has been hailed as a visionary and effective agency. However, its greatest successes are clearly linked to the willingness of the international donor community to make the required resources available to it. Hence, continued credibility and positive results are crucial foremost for the refugees but also for UNHCR itself and its partners.
Africa Humanitarian Action would like to wish the High Commissioner, Mr António Guterres and his team at all levels, and their partners who serve them on the ground success in their efforts to protect and support the world’s refugees and displaced peoples.
I thank you
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