Address by Sara Pantuliano, Director of Humanitarian Policy Group of Overseas Development Institute (ODI). [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Sara Pantuliano, Director of Humanitarian Policy Group of Overseas Development Institute (ODI), expressed in her speech that China is playing an increasingly important role in participating in international humanitarian aid and attracting more attention. In the discussion on humanitarian aid, China's role at present and in the future must be considered. The Overseas Development Institute, as a leading humanitarian research think tank in the world, is committed to improving the humanitarian policies and practices through high-quality analyses, dialogues and debates. This seminar represents the diversity of international humanitarian aid. The humanitarian group focuses on five main research areas: humanitarian principles, policies and systems; civilian security and protection; migration, displacement and urbanization; livelihood and food security; lasting crisis and transition period. She expected to have more comprehensive cooperation with China in the area of humanitarian aid.

In our world today, natural disasters, accidents, public health events and armed conflicts occur frequently and are intertwined, many civilians are involved and humanitarian crises emerge constantly. While experiencing significant development, humanitarian aid is faced with severe challenges. This calls for a comprehensive understanding of the status quo and characteristics of international humanitarian aid and a systematic review on the challenges facing international humanitarian aid, which lie at the foundation for understanding the future development and measures to be taken of international humanitarian aid.