Oxfam reaction to resignation announcement of UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos

Oxfam International executive director Winnie Byanyima said: 

"Valerie Amos has made a vital and valued contribution to global humanitarian efforts during her four years as the UN under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.

We acknowledge that she rang the alarm bell for less high-profile crises, such as the conflict happening today in South Sudan, as well as over-seeing major aid operations there and in Syria, Iraq and the Central African Republic. It is important that her successor brings the same mix of commitment, determination, skills and experience that made Ms. Amos such a success in the role." 

"Whoever succeeds her faces a daunting task. The number of people caught in humanitarian crises has doubled in the last decade and is expected to continue to increase, not least due to the likelihood of more floods, droughts and storms linked to climate change. Last year, 144 million people were displaced by conflicts or affected by natural disasters, and 65 million of them were targeted for assistance through UN appeals. At the same time we have more than 51 million refugees, asylum-seekers and internally displaced people around the world - more than at any time since the Second World War."