QuoteProject
The humanitarian aid system is built on a concept that when disaster strikes, outside agencies provide a temporary helping hand until people can take back control of their own lives. But across the world, we see millions of people caught in semi-permanent crises. As each year goes by, they are less and less likely to break free.
Antonio Guterres
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Disaster relief is meant to be temporary, but many people remain in crisis for extended periods.

Antonio Guterres emphasizes that the humanitarian aid system is designed to offer temporary assistance during disasters, enabling individuals to regain control over their lives. However, he highlights a concerning trend where millions find themselves trapped in prolonged crises, making recovery increasingly unattainable as time progresses.

Themes

HumanitarianAidDisasterCrisisRecoveryControl

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be used in a speech about the importance of sustainable humanitarian efforts.

More from Antonio Guterres

There is never a humanitarian solution for a humanitarian crisis. The solutions for the humanitarian crisis are always political ones.
Antonio GuterresRead
As a global society, we have the technology, resources and the know-how to make a massive difference to living standards everywhere, including for refugees.
Antonio GuterresRead
The world's problems transcend borders.
Antonio GuterresRead
Humanitarian response, sustainable development, and sustaining peace are three sides of the same triangle.
Antonio GuterresRead
The fact that societies are becoming increasingly multi-ethnic, multicultural, and multi-religious is good. Diversity is a strength, not a weakness.
Antonio GuterresRead
Syria has become the great tragedy of this century - a disgraceful humanitarian calamity with suffering and displacement unparalleled in recent history.
Antonio GuterresRead

Similar quotes

Just a little help, a small security force, a bit of food, can save lives
Nicholas D. KristofRead
... the long-lasting humanitarian impact of these inhuman weapons continues to deny communities the opportunity to rebuild long after the end of the conflicts.
Kofi AnnanRead
The people of Liberia know what it means to be deprived of clean water, but we also know what it means to see our children to begin to smile again with a restoration of hope and faith in the future.
Ellen Johnson SirleafRead
It's really very simple, Governor. When people are hungry they die. So spare me your politics and tell me what you need and how you're going to get it to these people.
Bob GeldofRead
So long as freedom from hunger is only half achieved, so long as two thirds of the nations have food deficits, no citizen, no nation can afford to be satisfied. We have the ability, as members of the human race, we have the means, we have the capacity to eliminate hunger from the face of the earth in our lifetime. We only need the will.
John F. KennedyRead
My most important projects have been the building and maintaining of schools and medical clinics for my dear friends in the Himalaya and helping restore their beautiful monasteries, too.
Edmund HillaryRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.