Interview: World is looking up to China to get inspiration to meet humanitarian challenges, says IFRC head

As wars, poverty and natural disasters afflict populations across the globe, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Secretary General Elhadj As Sy told Xinhua in an exclusive interview that "we are living through humanitarian challenges at a scale and magnitude that we did not have four years ago."

In light this, Sy, who was speaking ahead of the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, highlighted the important role played by China because of its history of self-reliance and its experience of building-up from grassroots to respond to specific needs.

"The world is looking up to China, especially in Africa, as a model to get inspiration from, as a source of knowledge, experience, expertise and resources," Sy explained.

Since the last global forum took place in 2011, additional crises in the Central African Republic and Yemen have been added to the long list of protracted challenges prevalent in Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.

A combination of nefarious factors catalysed by climate change, environmental degradation and urbanisation have further compounded humanitarian situations.

"The major challenge is that all these protracted crises are multiplying and developing very fast," Sy explained, adding that the estimated 19 billion U.S. dollars needed to cater to current humanitarian needs are far from being reached.

Addressing push factors, which are sparking mass refugee and migrant flows across the Mediterranean and other areas in the world, is essential according to Sy.

"This will mean fewer wars, conflicts and situations of vulnerabilities, better planned urbanisation and more opportunities for youth and young people," he said, while stressing the importance of possessing rapid response capabilities to competently address humanitarian emergencies.

Since the last International Conference took place, IFRC along with partner organisations, has played a crucial role in alleviating disasters and assisting people in need in affected regions.

Notable improvements include the fact that typhoons are claiming fewer lives every year, while efforts to confront the Ebola crisis helped prevent the epidemic from spreading to other regions across the world.

"I'm not confident but I'm hopeful that efforts we are all making today will contribute to shaping a better tomorrow," the Secretary General concluded.

The IFRC's mandate is to save lives, protect livelihoods, strengthen recovery from disasters and crises, enable healthy and safe living and promote social inclusion and a culture of non-violence and peace.

The International Conference, held in Geneva from Dec. 8 to Dec. 10, is a unique global forum bringing together the States Parties to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Endit