The first World Humanitarian Summit has started in Istanbul. Governments, aid organisations and UN agencies are meeting in the Turkish capital to work on a response to what is being called the worst humanitarian crisis since World War Two. Conflicts and natural disasters have left around 130 million people in need of aid.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (C) attends a photo session with other participants during the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 23, 2016. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched a scheme Monday aiming to significantly improve the efficiency of humanitarian aid, as part of the efforts to bridge the funding gap, at the World's First Humanitarian Summit. (Xinhua/He Canling)

Terrorism, natural disasters and war have combined to create a global humanitarian crisis.

Armed conflicts alone are displacing around 60 million people every year.

Against this backdrop, the first World Humanitarian Summit convened in Istanbul. Representatives from 175 countries are here to discuss ways to boost the amount of humanitarian aid and improve its distribution.

One other main topic at the summit here - is women. They are often defined as one of the most vulnerable groups in crisis areas - however leaders here are also emphasizing - if empowered women can make a difference.

"The first one to save life is not somebody that is sent from a country two days later. It's actually the mother who looks after the members of the family. The person who makes sure the members of the family are fed, are clothed, are secure is also the mother. So they are often the first and the best responders. If you empower them, you increase the efficiency of the response," UN Women Executive director Yannick Glemarec said.

The Syrian refugee crisis has also dominated the talks. Turkish President Erdogan stressed the need for more international cooperation.

"We have not been able to receive the necessary support and contribution from the international community on the refugee crisis, and we now expect a fairer sharing of the burden. The current system falls short. The burden is shouldered only by certain countries. Everyone should assume responsibility from now on," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

However, pledges made at the summit aren't legally binding. Influential leaders such as Russian President Putin have ignored the event…and a major aid organization, Doctors Without Borders, isn't here either-criticizing the summit as more show than substance.

With an estimated 130 million people now in need of humanitarian aid - more than at any time since World War Two - there is pressure here in Istanbul to do a lot more than just talk about it.

Participants pose for a group photo during the world humanitarian summit in Istanbul, Turkey, May 23, 2016. The first world humanitarian summit opened here Monday with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urging governments, aid groups, the private sector and other stakeholders to act to improve the global humanitarian system. (Xinhua/Anadolu Agency)