Security Council Urged to Ensure Greater Protection of Humanitarian Workers
November 26, 2024
United Nations, New York
The United Nations Security Council has been called upon to take urgent measures to enhance the protection of humanitarian workers in conflict zones around the world.
In a briefing to the Council, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his deep concern over the escalating violence against aid workers, who often put their lives on the line to provide assistance to vulnerable populations.
“Humanitarian workers are not a target,” Guterres stressed. “They are civilians who should be protected by international law.”
The Secretary-General presented a report to the Council that documented 406 attacks on humanitarian personnel in 2023, resulting in 117 deaths and 320 injuries. This represents a significant increase from previous years.
Guterres attributed the rise in violence to a number of factors, including the proliferation of armed groups, the spread of misinformation, and the lack of accountability for crimes against humanitarian workers.
He called on the Security Council to strengthen existing measures to protect aid workers, such as the Declaration of Commitment to End Attacks on Healthcare, and to develop new initiatives to address emerging challenges.
“We need to ensure that humanitarian workers have safe and unimpeded access to all those in need,” Guterres said. “We cannot afford to lose any more lives in the pursuit of this vital work.”
The Security Council members expressed their support for the Secretary-General’s call for greater protection of humanitarian workers. They agreed to consider a range of measures to address the issue, including:
- Strengthening monitoring and reporting mechanisms
- Increasing funding for security measures for aid workers
- Engaging with armed groups to promote respect for international humanitarian law
- Prosecuting those responsible for crimes against humanitarian workers
The Council also called for more proactive engagement from the international community to raise awareness of the importance of protecting aid workers and to hold perpetrators of violence accountable.
“Humanitarian workers are the lifeline for millions of people in need,” said the US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield. “We must do everything in our power to ensure their safety and security.”
The call for greater protection of humanitarian workers comes at a critical time, as the world faces a growing number of humanitarian crises. The United Nations estimates that over 270 million people will require humanitarian assistance in 2024, a significant increase from previous years.
Humanitarian organizations have warned that the escalating violence against aid workers is threatening their ability to provide life-saving assistance to those in need.
“We are deeply concerned that the violence against humanitarian workers is putting millions of people at risk,” said Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council. “We urge the Security Council to take immediate action to protect our staff and ensure that we can continue our vital work.”
The Security Council is expected to adopt a resolution in the coming weeks outlining the measures it will take to enhance the protection of humanitarian workers. The Council’s response will be closely watched by humanitarian organizations and the international community, who are demanding urgent action to address this critical issue.
Security Council urged to ensure greater protection of humanitarian workers
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