PM at UN: ‘Indifferent’ world deepening humanitarian crises

Prime Minister Mia Mottley has warned the United Nations General Assembly that indifference and unchecked violence are driving unprecedented levels of global suffering, as she urged world leaders to confront humanitarian crises in Sudan and Gaza.

At the 193-nation world body’s 80th session, Mottley first pointed to the conflict in Sudan as a devastating example of the human cost of war.

“Only yesterday a leading British newspaper reminded us that for 500 days 260,000 people, virtually the population of my country, have been trapped in the Sudanese city of El Faso,” she said. “While political progress stalls, those who attempt to escape are killed, and those who remain inside are starved. The world must not ignore the horror in Sudan.”

Turning to the Middle East, Mottley declared that the international community must not remain silent in the face of what she described as “genocidal destruction.”

“As it relates to Gaza, yes, there must be a release of the hostages taken on 7 October,” she said. “But we have now gone to a point where all of our human sensibilities are offended by the continuous and disproportionate attacks on the Palestinian people and the failure to allow access by the international community to the survivors for the provision of humanitarian aid.”

The prime minister underscored that sustainable peace cannot be achieved through military might and violence. “A lasting peace can never be achieved through violence… not continued bombing,” she said. “It can only be achieved through justice as our guide and dialogue talking.”

Quoting the Roman historian Tacitus, Mottley said: “‘They plunder, they butcher, they ravish, they make it desert and call it peace.’”

Mottley also cited urgent funding needs, saying that UNICEF has estimated that $66m is required in Gaza over the next three months and $200m in Sudan, largely for nutrition, water, sanitation and health interventions. “We should note that there have been multiple disease outbreaks, including cholera,” she added.

The PM closed her speech with a sobering image from Gaza that she noted has stayed with her during the course of the week.

“A young Palestinian girl of six or seven years old, walking in the midst of the rubble… her eyes were hollow and full of despair,” Mottley recalled. “She was in great pain, but she carried her sister on both shoulders, clearly recognising that it was she who would have to carry the burden of taking them to safety.

“This is the ultimate picture for me of hope and resilience. If a six-year-old can push past all the physical and emotional pain and still find hope, then we as leaders, members of the global community, have a duty to summon that spirit.” (SB)