Guterres: A quarter of the world's population lives in conflict-affected areas

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Wednesday that a quarter of the world's population lives in conflict-affected areas, and that some 274 million people will need humanitarian assistance this year.

This came in his speech during the meeting of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission, which is currently being held via closed-circuit television, with the participation of representatives of UN member states (193).

The Peacebuilding Commission was established jointly by the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations General Assembly in 2005 as an advisory body for the United Nations that supports efforts to bring peace to countries emerging from conflict.

"We are facing the largest number of violent conflicts since 1945 (the end of World War II)," Guterres added.

He explained that the conflicts extend "from Yemen to Syria, Myanmar and Sudan, from Haiti to the African coast, and now the war in Ukraine - and this is a catastrophe that shakes the foundations of the international system."

"All over the world, we are witnessing military coups and the seizure of power by force, and a dangerous sense of impunity is taking hold."

He also stated that "nuclear arsenals are increasing, human rights and international law are being violated, and the spirit and letter of the Charter of the United Nations are being mocked."

And he added: "This year, we estimate that at least 274 million people will need humanitarian assistance."

He explained that, "Over the past decade, the world has spent $349 billion on peacekeeping, humanitarian relief and refugee support, while global military expenditures have risen to nearly $2 trillion in 2020 alone."

"Two billion people - a number equal to a quarter of humanity - live in conflict-affected areas," Guterres said.

"Last year, 84 million people were forcibly displaced due to conflict, violence and human rights violations," he added.

He urged Member States to "ensure adequate, predictable and sustainable funding for peacebuilding and urgent investment in all prevention tools."

Among these tools, he explained, are "stronger early warning systems, mediation capabilities, and strategic data and analytics to tackle hate speech."

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