PM Szydło at UN summit: Poland has doubled its humanitarian aid in 2016

Currently, Poland's Prime Minister Beata Szydło is on a visit to Turkey, attending the World Humanitarian Summit, organised by the United Nations in Istanbul on May 23-24. "We are here because we do not agree with leaving millions people in the world without help and a chance for development. Our presence is proof that despite enormous efforts of states, governments, communities, international organizations and NGOs, so many people still do not have a chance for a decent life," Beata Szydło proclaimed in her speech. "Our actions should focus on direct support for countries affected by humanitarian crises. This should be implemented through the support of states' own social and economic potentials. That is why Poland has doubled its humanitarian aid this year and will be increasing it consistently in subsequent years," the Polish Prime Minister proposed. According to UN chief Ban Ki Moon's report, the total cost of humanitarian aid in 2015 for some 120 million people in need amounted to $19.5 billion. In 2016, the United Nations is appealing for a staggering $20 billion in funds to meet humanitarian needs, which is five times the amount needed a decade ago.