Around the world, more and more people are being pushed deeper into humanitarian crises due to new and ongoing conflicts and the consequences of the climate and ecological emergency. If those in need of humanitarian assistance formed a country, it would be the third largest globally. And this suffering non-country is growing at an exponential rate – up 30% since early 2022. Now more than ever before, people in crises are in need of humanitarian support.
That is why, on World Humanitarian Day, we pay tribute to aid workers on the frontlines risking their lives to save others and reduce human suffering – and honour the memory of those who perished in the service of others.
This summer marks 20 years since the devastating bomb attack on UN headquarters in Baghdad, which killed 22 people, mostly humanitarian aid workers. Sadly, the risk landscape has only worsened since then. Today, aid workers around the world are in greater danger than ever before. This year so far, attacks against aid workers have tragically led to 62 humanitarians being killed, 33 kidnapped, and 82 wounded. These acts are unacceptable and must not be tolerated.
The protection of civilians, including aid workers, as well as of medical personnel, is an obligation under International Humanitarian Law which must be respected, including ensuring unimpeded access for humanitarian aid.
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has led to a global energy and food security crisis, causing a worsening humanitarian situation across the globe. We have also seen new conflicts erupt, such as the devastating fighting in Sudan and military coups in the Sahel worsening the overall situation on the ground. To make matters worse, Russia’s decision to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative, followed by increased attacks on Ukrainian Black Sea and Danube ports, disrupting grain deliveries worldwide, will plunge countless communities deeper into food insecurity such as in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan or Yemen.
In the face of these sustained threats, we continue efforts to close the growing gap between needs and available funding. The EU is among the leading global humanitarian donors and invites the international donor community to step up its commitments.
Together, we can help people trapped in humanitarian crises. And we can protect the aid workers on the ground who bring the support and hope that these people desperately need.
UN: Secretary-General calls for saluting courage, dedication of humanitarian aid workers everywhere, in International Day message
New York, 18 August 2023
Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for World Humanitarian Day, observed on 19 August:
This year’s World Humanitarian Day marks the twentieth anniversary of the deadly attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad. On that dark day, we lost 22 colleagues, including Special Representative Sérgio Vieira de Mello.
That tragedy marked a change in the way humanitarians operate. Because today, although humanitarians are respected around the world, they may also be targeted by those who would do them harm.
This year, global humanitarian operations aim to get life-saving aid to 250 million people in 69 countries — 10 times more than at the time of the Canal Hotel bombing. Sadly, funding is far off track. As crises multiply, it is unacceptable that humanitarians are being forced to reduce aid to millions of people in need.
Other challenges have also multiplied over the past 20 years: Rising geopolitical tensions; a blatant disregard for international humanitarian and human rights law; deliberate assault and disinformation campaigns.
Humanitarianism itself is now under attack. But, these tests have made the global humanitarian community stronger.
Humanitarians — who are mostly national staff working in their own countries — are even closer to the people they serve. They are finding new ways to venture deeper into disaster-stricken regions, and closer to the front lines of conflict, driven by a single purpose: to save and protect lives.
On this World Humanitarian Day, we salute the courage and dedication of humanitarian aid workers everywhere. We reaffirm our full support for their determined and life-saving efforts across the world. We celebrate their unwavering dedication to serve all people in need: no matter who, no matter where, no matter what.
Source – UN