UN commissioner opens Global Refugee Forum with call for ‘humanitarian cease-fire’ in Gaza

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS FROM UN COMMISSIONER; COMMENTS FROM CO-HOST SWITZERLAND

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on Wednesday opened the Global Refugee Forum with a call for an "immediate and sustained humanitarian cease-fire."

"A major human catastrophe is unfolding in the Gaza Strip, and so far, the (UN) Security Council has failed to stop the violence," Grandi said in Geneva, addressing the three-day forum.

Noting that the events happening since Oct. 7 are "outside the mandate of UNHCR," he said: "However, we foresee more civilian deaths and suffering, and also further displacement that threatens the region."

"I cannot open the global refugee forum without first echoing the call of the United Nations Secretary-General (Antonio Guterres) for an immediate and sustained humanitarian ceasefire," he said.

The high commissioner also asked for the release of hostages and said the resumption of a genuine dialogue would bring a "real peace and security to the people of Israel and Palestine."

Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip from the air and land, imposed a siege and mounted a ground offensive in retaliation for a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 18,412 Palestinians have been killed and 50,100 injured in the Israeli onslaught since then, according to Gaza’s health authorities.

The official Israeli death toll in the Hamas attack stands at 1,200, while around 139 hostages remain in captivity, according to official figures.

Gazans face severe shortages of food, water and other basic goods as only a trickle of aid is allowed in.

The UN General Assembly on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to demand a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. There were 153 votes in favor, 10 against and 23 abstentions.

He stressed that there are 114 million people worldwide forcibly displaced and 75% of refugees are being hosted by low- and middle-income countries which are often "already struggling themselves to provide and care for their own citizens."

"This is why international support is so key and must be reinforced," he said.

He warned that many humanitarian organizations are facing "severe funding challenges" and said that the UN refugee agency alone is lacking $400 million to end the year with a minimum of needed resources.

"This is a shortfall we have not experienced in years, and we're all looking with much concern at 2024," he added.

The high commissioner also underlined the need for the support of donors.

- Forum an opportunity to ‘step up efforts’

Switzerland, the co-host of the Global Refugee Forum, said that as the world is facing a "multiplication of crises and instability," the forum is an opportunity for the international community to step up efforts.

"I am delighted the forum is taking place in Geneva - a city of dialogue and exchange," Christine Schaner Burgener, the state secretary for migration, said during her speech.

She emphasized that the delegations from over 100 countries, dozens of refugee organizations and NGOs are meeting at the forum to "broaden access to solution" and "to take stock and step up efforts."

"The situation has worsened since 2019," she warned, saying it poses challenges to the international community.

The three-day forum, which is set to end on Friday, is the largest quadrennial international meeting on refugee issues.

Its purpose is to support the practical implementation of the objectives outlined in the Global Compact on Refugees, which include easing pressures on host countries, enhancing refugee self-reliance, increasing access to third-country solutions, and improving conditions in countries of origin.

The gathering also allows states and stakeholders to make concrete commitments and contributions.

It is co-convened by five states – Colombia, France, Japan, Jordan, and Uganda – and co-hosted by the government of Switzerland and UNHCR.

With refugee numbers rising due to armed conflicts, environmental pressures, and natural disasters, this year’s forum will press forward to help alleviate a growing international issue.