Any contribution helps

The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross said recently that the international community must get to the root causes of the conflicts in the Middle East — and their outcome, particularly the appalling refugee crisis — if these conflicts are to be dealt with properly and effectively.

The ICRC head paid tribute to Jordan’s immense efforts to accommodate about one million and a half Syrians, but expressed disappointment in the meagre international support to Jordan and other countries in the region that received millions of Syrian refugees over the past few years.

The root causes of the mass exodus of people from Syria and Iraq are well known and documented, but the international community, especially the major powers, need to exert more effort to address them, and to contribute adequately for the upkeep of the refugees.

Not only did the UN Security Council fail to deal with the region’s conflicts and the ensuing crises, it may have contributed to them through its inaction.

The ICRC official drew attention to the fact that its budget for Syria and Jordan has already surpassed its capability.

Money may be running short, but where the ICRC can do more is in soliciting international support for solving the conflicts in the Middle East.

This distinguished organisation that has been selflessly giving to humanity for 150 years now has enough clout to call on the UN Security Council, especially the five permanent members, to carry out their responsibility under the UN Charter in regard to maintaining regional and international peace and security.

This is no time for ICRC to maintain a low profile on the international and regional conflicts. Rather, it should do its utmost to ensure respect for international humanitarian law.