Unity urged to tackle humanitarian crises

The international community urgently needs to unite to deal with worsening humanitarian crises and severe challenges in the world's human rights development, especially as the United States has continued to break its commitments and withdraw funds from humanitarian assistance, human rights experts from China and Germany said.

Li Hongkui, vice-chairman and secretary-general of the China Foundation for Human Rights Development, said that strengthening international development cooperation and providing humanitarian aid must involve practicing genuine multilateralism and encouraging participation from all sides.

"We must aim to reduce and resolve crises through development, help recipient countries accelerate people-centered development, work toward eliminating the root causes of crises and coordinate the advancement of human rights with development and security," Li said at the 2025 China-Germany Human Rights Development Forum jointly held by the CFHRD and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Beijing on Thursday.

Both Germany and China play important roles in international development cooperation and humanitarian aid efforts, said Sergio Grassi, resident representative of the FES Beijing Office, a German foundation that aims to promote social justice, peace and security.

"The international community is currently facing the severe challenge of a growing demand for humanitarian aid and a widening funding gap. The forum's discussion on how to effectively combine humanitarian aid with the promotion of development cooperation holds significant practical relevance," Grassi said.

Herta Daubler-Gmelin, former federal minister of justice of Germany, said humanitarian aid and development cooperation are two pillars that unite the world.

"Humanitarian aid saves people in times of crisis, while development cooperation provides them with prospects for development, making their progress more resilient. It is hoped that Germany and China can find common ground in promoting humanitarian aid and international development cooperation, strengthening their collaboration and working together for a peaceful and stable world," Daubler-Gmelin said, adding that China can particularly provide aid in agriculture and poverty alleviation.

Marina Rudyak, a lecturer at Heidelberg University's Centre for Asian and Transcultural Studies, said that as the US has been disappointing the world in providing humanitarian aid, organizations in China and Europe need to step up, especially nongovernmental organizations.

"NGOs play a crucial role in humanitarian aid and the protection of human rights, often responding to crises and promoting development in flexible and professional ways. By deepening interactions in the civil sector, China and Germany can enhance their cooperation, making it more multidimensional and resilient, and infusing a more diverse range of strengths to tackle challenges," Rudyak said.

Liu Huawen, director of the Institute of International Law at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said China's stance on respecting and safeguarding human rights — as well as promoting international development and aid — is firm and clear.

"China and Germany, as responsible major powers, will act as builders and contributors in the development and application of international law, especially international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Jointly, they can promote the synergy between international development cooperation and humanitarian aid, and advance the healthy development of global human rights," Liu said.

cuijia@chinadaily.com.cn