World Vision calls for more political commitment to resolve conflicts at Conservative Party Conference

As World Vision UK hosts a fringe event at the Conservative Party conference today, much focus will be on the unprecedented levels of humanitarian crises as a result of conflicts around the world.

A specialist panel of four chaired by prominent political journalist and blogger, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, is expected to discuss challenges affecting INGOs and charities responding to various protracted crises.

Entitled From Syria to Somalia: What's it like to live and work in a forgotten crisis and why doesn't the world seem to care?, the World Vision fringe event will take place at the International Development Hub (Cobden 4) from 12:45 -14:00.

The massive funding shortfall affecting international aid organisations and others responding to various conflicts around the world will come into the spotlight with World Vision UK chief executive, Tim Pilkington calling for “greater commitment” from political leaders.

He said: “Studies show that charities and INGOs are committing up to 80 percent of all funds to responding to the needs of the vulnerable in conflict zones. It’s a very worrying figure and one which clearly shows that aid agencies on their own do not have the answers and solutions to the current crisis. 

“We know that more political will is required in order to address the needs of the most vulnerable. We believe that party conferences are a fantastic opportunity to influence decision makers and have your voice heard on important issues, which is why I am in Manchester today together with the World Vision UK team and our supporters to attend the Conservative Party’s conference and contribute to the discussions here,” Pilkington explained.

Also expected on the panel of the World Vision fringe event are Rt Hon Desmond Swayne MP; Minister of State for International Development, Patricia Mouamar, a communications specialist for World Vision Lebanon and Imran Madden, the UK director for the charity, Islamic Relief.

At a similar event at the Labour conference last week, Madden urged the government to inject greater urgency into resettling Syrian refugees in the UK.

He said: “Britain’s generosity abroad needs to be matched by our compassion at home and supported by fresh diplomatic energy to end the brutal Syrian conflict that is the root cause of this unprecedented refugee crisis. The UK and EU have obligations to refugees under international law that must be honoured. I applaud the generosity of the UK Government in assisting Syrians affected by the conflict in Syria and in neighbouring countries, but much more can and should be done to host refugees in the UK and bring about a ceasefire. No diplomatic stone should be left unturned in the search for peace, and most of the 20,000 refugees the UK has agreed to host should be accommodated within two years, not five.”

Follow updates of the event via Twitter by following @WVUKNews . Send questions for the panellists to UKPressOffice@worldvision.org.uk