The new commitments come as the world attempts to cope with a mounting refugee crisis that has displaced more people than at any time since World War II. Obama called on wealthier nations to step up, adding that “we all have to do more”.
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The 50 states and organizations participating in the summit have increased their contributions to humanitarian appeals in 2016 by $4.5 billion, including $1 billion from the USA, according to President Obama’s opening address. The large movement of refugees and migrants is linked to global peace and development, affects regional stability and causes serious political, social and security concerns, reflected the prime minister.
A recent study by from the UN’s refugee agency estimated 65.3 million people were displaced from their homes by conflict or persecution in 2015, up by over five million from the prior year.
That may prove hard as some countries already rejected an earlier draft that called on nations to resettle 10 per cent of the refugee population each year, and refugees are proving a deeply divisive issue in Europe and the United States, but at least the UN is trying. We applaud U.N. Member States for coming together at the high-level plenary meeting on September 19 to reaffirm their shared responsibility for refugees and migrants. We welcome the inclusion of civil society, which, in many cases, has established private sponsorship programs.
Mr. Soros announced that while he has long invested in aiding migrants worldwide, he now plans to collaborate with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Rescue Committee to find the best possible way to help the “tens of millions” of refugees seeking aid. Altogether, at least 17 governments participating in today’s Summit have committed to strengthen and adapt their policies so that more refugees can attend school and/or lawfully work.
Emerging digital technology was highlighted as a particuarly promising opportunity by Soros, who said that advances in the sector could improve people’s access to government, legal, financial and health services. The new facility will make it possible for donors to respond quickly and substantially to future refugee crises that might occur in middle income countries.
UN General Assembly President Peter Thomson said that he would take forward the commitment of the membership to begin a process leading to a global compact on migration as well as to support a global compact on refugees.
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Obama, one of six leaders co-hosting the summit, came to the United Nations Tuesday with commitments from 51 USA companies who have agreed to help in the form of education, employment and $650 million in donations.
