Excellencies,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen;

Allow me to begin by thanking the International Committee of the Red Cross for organizing this event and Peter Maurer, its President, for chairing.  

As humanitarians, it is our duty to address human suffering wherever it is found, to protect life and health and ensure respect for all human beings. This is the principle of humanity; the fundamental idea, which drives all humanitarians in their challenging and increasingly dangerous work. The humanitarian principles, derived from the core principles, have long guided the work of the ICRC and all humanitarians - humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.

When we look at today’s world, we cannot deny that there has never been a greater need for these four principles. We are dealing with an unprecedented number of simultaneous, complex humanitarian crises with regional implications, from South Sudan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Nigeria to name a few, to the increase in ‘desperation migration’ and migrant fatalities en route to developed countries. In this troubled context, the principle of humanity reminds us that saving lives, alleviating suffering and preserving dignity must prevail. Regardless of status, we need to ensure that everyone is treated with equal respect. Our actions must never be used or hijacked for political gain.

With this in mind, I would like to focus my remarks on three things: (1) action, (2) accountability and (3) alliance.

I. Action

It is time to go beyond words and take action to ensure that these crucial principles are truly respected in all humanitarian work. Last year, IOM embarked on a pivotal process of defining IOM’s actions vis-à-vis the humanitarian principles and to have them embedded in a policy – IOM’s Principles for Humanitarian Action. IOM’s development of this policy, as well as our Protection Mainstreaming, and Durable Solutions policies is a testament to the Organization’s commitment to ensuring that humanitarian principles are integrated into how IOM responds to the different mobility dimensions of crises, looking at displaced persons, unaccompanied minors, and other vulnerable mobile populations.

II. Accountability

Sadly, despite our common commitment to be more accountable to people affected by crises, we often fall short. As the global lead agency on migration, upholding the principle of humanity particularly for vulnerable groups like migrants is at the heart and soul of what IOM does. IOM sees a key role for humanitarians not only to recognise the needs of migrants in times of crisis, but to better engage those we seek to help in our planning and assistance delivery, with the ultimate aim of saving lives. Humanitarian organizations, as well as all parties to conflict, must respect the humanitarian principles and be held accountable if they do not.

III. Alliance

Being an operational and field-based organization, IOM also recognizes the fact that crucial humanitarian work is done at the field level and largely depends on a collaborative effort between States, the local communities, among other partners. IOM fully echoes the need for greater alliance of all actors around the principle of humanity: political leaders, intergovernmental organizations, NGOs, and communities themselves in ensuring a humane response to those who seek our help. The current toxic narrative concerning migration and mobility issues as a result of grave humanitarian crises needs to be corrected and IOM believes that joint advocacy and programming can contribute to this goal, ensuring greater respect for all human life.

I would like to leave you with three simple thoughts:

1. We need to take action to ensure that our humanitarian interventions are guided by a respectful application of principles.
2. We need to ensure that humanitarian organizations and all parties to conflict are held accountable to the principles embodied to International Humanitarian Law.
3. We need to build an alliance around the core principle of humanity in both our programming and our advocacy to alleviate human suffering and protect and respect all human beings.