(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) ISTANBUL, May 22 (KUNA) -- The upcoming UN-sponsored World Humanitarian Summit, set to kick off in Istanbul on Monday, is like a "distress call" for a joint humanitarian action, and a platform for launching new initiatives, UN officials said Sunday.
Today, the world is suffering enormously from natural disasters, as well as human-made disasters, and there is a desperate need to show solidarity with those affected by these crises, Jan Eliasson, UN Deputy Secretary General, said in a joint press conference with Stephen O'Brien, UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, on eve of the Summit.
The event will focus on helping the victims of recent disasters around the world, and finding more effective ways to deliver aid to them, Eliasson added, pointing out his recent visits to Nepal, Vietnam, and Syria and meeting with refugees.
Several world leaders, governments, state and non-state representatives will be participating in this international event with the aim of making an essential change to meet the humanitarian needs, he said.
For his part, O'Brien said that the world in currently living the "globalization" era and knowing the latest information faster, stressing the importance of reaching out to people who are mostly in need for help and assistance.
Those innocents who are stranded in the ongoing crises around the world need us desperately to deliver them food and aid, in addition to providing them with medical treatment, sanitation, and water, he noted.
Thus, the Summit is an opportunity to start to implement an ambitious and long-term plan in order to change the ways of delivering humanitarian aid and support, and eliminate any further suffering to the people.
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his accompanying delegation arrived in Istanbul earlier to attend the World Humanitarian Summit.
The UN sponsored-Summit is expected to attract representatives from 155 world countries and international organizations. Fifty world leaders are expected to attend as well. (end) rs.ma