Capital Maharaja Org. invited to Geneva by UN for global consultation on humanitarian efforts

Thursday, 1 October 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Recognising its continued efforts toward humanitarian causes, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has invited the Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited (TCMOL) to be represented at the World Humanitarian Summit’s Global Consultation in Geneva, Switzerland in October 2015.

TCMOL, which was also represented at the recent UN regional consultations held in Tajikistan, will embody the sole Sri Lankan representation at the Global Consultation, in promoting private sector collaboration on emergency preparedness and response, where it will examine action areas and recommendations that have emerged from consultations that have already taken place, and showcase what can be done to influence the future.

Maharaja Group CEO Mohan Bharara articulated the manner in which the Capital Maharaja Organisation has been at the forefront of humanitarian operations in Sri Lanka for decades, in particular, its efforts during natural disasters under its ‘Sahana-Yathra’ relief program, which won the hearts of Sri Lankans. Recently, the Maharaja Organisation successfully carried out its first ever international relief operation in its speedy response to the earthquake in Nepal by air-lifting relief items to the hardest-hit areas. Over the years, the company has gained invaluable experience in all aspects of emergency relief – responding to the tsunami, droughts, floods and landslides, with a remarkable instinct to mobilise its network and take action effectively.

“This is a significant honour to the Maharaja Group, as well as to Sri Lanka. When we embark on humanitarian efforts, we don’t do it in expectation of international recognition. However, when our work receives acknowledgement in an entirely unexpected manner, it acts as an encouragement to both the management and the staff who have dedicated their efforts to this. We are humbled to be the only representative from the private sector in Sri Lanka to receive this invitation by the UN to share our experience in humanitarian efforts. We look forward to carrying our Group’s message to Geneva and ultimately impacting lives, back home in Sri Lanka,” noted TCMOL Group Director Chevaan Daniel, who will represent the Capital Maharaja Organisation in Geneva.The World Humanitarian Summit’s Global Consultation will get underway in Geneva, Switzerland in October 2015, and will be aimed at articulating bold and concrete proposals for change that will constitute the vision for future humanitarian action.

Discussions and outcomes of the Global Consultation will feature in the report of the United Nations Secretary-General and pave the way for the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in May 2016.