UN system has the tools, but some world leaders lacking, says UN relief official

The United Nations system has the tools, the technical expertise and the logistical capacity to provide faster and better humanitarian relief to civilians caught in armed conflict, but the world's political, military and economic leaders still do not make humanitarian principles a reality, the UN's senior relief official told the Security Council today.

Jan Egeland, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, briefed the Council in New York at an open meeting on the issue of protecting civilians in armed conflict.

Mr. Egeland presented two documents - an updated aide-memoire on the issue, and a "road map" previously requested by Security Council members to help them clarify responsibilities and enhance cooperation within the UN system.

He told the Council that there were 10 areas for action: improving humanitarian access; improving the security of humanitarian personnel; ensuring the special protection of children; ensuring the special protection of women; combat impunity; tackling "forgotten emergencies"; responding better to refugees' security needs; tackling shortcomings in disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and rehabilitation; addressing the impact of small arms and light weapons on civilians; and developing further measures to promote the responsibility of armed groups and other non-State actors to protect civilians.

Mr. Egeland also emphasized that humanitarian and human rights workers needed the Council's help, pointing out that recent attacks against humanitarian personnel had dramatically reduced access to civilians caught inside armed conflicts.

His briefing was followed by an extensive debate in which representatives of 23 countries spoke before the Council.