ICRC President Peter Maurer has called on world leaders to take stronger action to address the root causes of large movements of people whilst, at the same time, showing humanity and respect for the millions who are on the move. Maurer said that it is too often violence that leads to the massive displacement of people.

The president of the ICRC made his comments at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) high-level meeting to address large movements of refugees and migrants, in New York. The summit meeting, attended by heads of State and government, aims to develop a blueprint for how to deal with the major migration challenges facing the world.

On 20 September, the ICRC president will also attend the Leaders’ Summit on the Global Refugee Crisis hosted by US President Barack Obama on the margins of the UNGA. He will go on to participate in the high-level week of the UNGA from 20 to 26 September to help ensure that the voices of the victims are heard and to remind States of their obligations under international humanitarian law.

Maurer also shared his concerns regarding large movements of refugees and migrants in an interview to Els Debuf, Senior Adviser, International Peace Institute. He talked about highlighting the commonality of needs of asylum-seekers, stateless people, refugees, migrants, and the internally displaced.

Speech given by ICRC President: Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants