China's humanitarian chief urged the international community here on Tuesday to make more efforts to deal with new humanitarian challenges caused by globalization and climate change.
"The process of globalization has promoted global economic and social development. At the same time, the world is developing in amore unbalanced manner," Peng Peiyun, president of the Red Cross Society of China, told the 30th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
"We are facing new humanitarian challenges. Climate change, international migration, urban violence, HIV and other global issues are threatening the process of development, pushing the vulnerable into a more difficult situation," Peng said.
According to the official, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies worldwide have made great contributions to achieve the Millennium Development Goals in strong partnership with the United Nations and others.
But the world still has a long way to go, and to respond to the new challenges, "we need strong partnership between government, national societies, and the people," Peng said.
Peng said for many years, the Chinese Red Cross has been active in the underdeveloped regions, providing relief to the poor affected by illness or natural disasters.
"Our volunteers provide community services to improve the local conditions like water, sanitation and the environment. Their work reduced disaster risks and improved the quality of life for the vulnerable in an effective way."
The Chinese Red Cross also plays an unique role in HIV prevention by listening to the voice of "high-risk" groups, advocating on behalf of people living with HIV, fighting against discrimination and striving for a harmonious society, she said.
The Chinese Red Cross is also working hard to build up capacity, streamline operational mechanism, and mobilize social resources to provide better services for vulnerable groups in China, she said.
She also expressed hope that the Chinese Red Cross would be more actively involved in international cooperation to tackle humanitarian challenges around the world.
The importance of enhanced collaboration is the focus of the 30th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, which opened in Geneva on Monday.
Around 1,500 Red Cross and Red Crescent representatives are taking part in the five-day event, which will set the world humanitarian agenda for the next four years.
Source: Xinhua
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