Conference with Ukraine on agenda convenes in Georgia

ISTANBUL

A quadrennial conference bringing together the representatives of humanitarian networks from 53 nations has convened with Ukraine's crisis on the agenda, the Turkish Red Crescent said on Wednesday.

The 11th European Regional Conference with the participation of Europe and Central Asia Red Cross and Red Crescent societies is being held with the motto of "Stronger Together" in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi, the agency said in a statement.

Forty-six societies are attending the event in person, while seven societies have joined virtually.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Vice-President Dr. Kerem Kinik is presiding over the conference.

“Humanitarian crisis occurring at the regional and global scale and the review of how National Societies are coping with the growing humanitarian needs as well as the in-depth analysis of ways and methods of response delivery is the theme of the meeting,” the statement added.

The findings and plans will be carried to the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement Statutory Meetings in June in Geneva, Switzerland, it added.

The effects of the Ukrainian crisis on the neighboring countries especially on migration and displacement as well as the ongoing conflict are being discussed as the special agenda of the event, the statement added.

Speaking at the opening of the event, Kinik, who is also the head of the Turkish Red Crescent, highlighted the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.

Noting that more than 10 million people have already been displaced and more than 5 million others have fled into the neighboring countries, Kinik said: “One out of eight people are now displaced. The conflict has left families torn apart; forced them to abandon their homes on trains and impacted their overall wellbeing.”

“I have seen the devastating consequences of the war in Ukraine and neighboring countries,” he added. “I hope this conflict will end immediately and people can return back to their homes to unite with their families safely and in a dignified way.”

Pointing to a similar situation in Syria, Kinik said that 500,000 people lost their lives and millions took refuge in the neighboring countries due to the civil war there, making displacement the main topic in the region.

Noting that climate change is among the crises humanitarians need to focus on, Kinik said: “Climate change is another serious crisis we are facing. The record-breaking heatwaves are scorching the forests.”