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International Committee of Red Cross: More than 50% of the worldâ€™s population is living in urban areas

07 May 2010 12:41 (UTC +04:00)

Bakuâ€“APA. The Red Cross and Red Crescent is marking 8 May, World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, by focusing attention on both the challenges and opportunities presented by urbanization, Azerbaijani office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) told APA.
â€œViolence, poverty, food shortages, insufficient health care, inadequate access to water and sanitation and escalating human vulnerability are among the many challenges facing people in cities and other densely populated areas around the globe. Yet the urban way of life also presents enormous opportunities and can serve as an engine of social inclusion, cultural expression, diversity and economic growth. For the first time, more than 50% of the worldâ€™s population is living in urban areas, a figure that is forecast to rise to more than 60% in 2030. Cities in the developing world are expected to account for 95% of urban growth over the next two decades.

"The recent devastation in Haiti reminds us of the impact disasters can have on densely populated urban areas, " said Tadateru KonoÃ©, the president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). "And our commitment is to work with the communities, local government and other local partners to improve health care and water and sanitation services, to make effective early warning and early action systems and to deliver earthquake-resistant shelters that will help save lives in future disasters."

"Many cities are directly affected by armed conflicts and other situations of violence," said Jakob Kellenberger, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). "Think of Mogadishu, Baghdad or Kabul â€“ but also Rio de Janeiro or Nairobi â€“ as examples of situations that cause severe human suffering. Even in some cities not experiencing war, violence has reached unprecedented proportions. I would not be surprised if our humanitarian work will in future increasingly happen in cities affected by various types of violence other than armed conflict."