Security Council Urged to Ensure Greater Protection of Humanitarian Workers
November 26, 2024
The United Nations Security Council has been urged to take urgent action to ensure greater protection for humanitarian workers, following a surge in attacks and threats targeting aid personnel.
In a statement to the Council, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, expressed deep concern over the alarming trend.
“Over the past year, we have witnessed a shocking increase in attacks against humanitarian workers,” Griffiths said. “These attacks are not only a crime against the individuals involved, but also a barrier to providing life-saving assistance to millions of people in need.”
According to the UN, at least 150 humanitarian workers were killed in violent attacks in 2023, a 20% increase from the previous year. Moreover, aid workers have faced a growing number of threats, kidnappings, and detention.
Griffiths identified several factors contributing to the increased risk facing humanitarian workers, including:
- Armed conflict and insecurity in many parts of the world
- The targeting of aid workers by armed groups and non-state actors
- The spread of misinformation and anti-humanitarian rhetoric
The UN chief stressed that the protection of humanitarian workers was essential for delivering aid efficiently and impartially. “Without the dedicated work of these brave individuals, millions of people would be left without access to food, water, shelter, and other life-saving services,” he said.
Griffiths urged the Security Council to adopt a resolution condemning attacks against humanitarian workers and calling for all parties to conflict to respect international law. He also called for increased funding for humanitarian protection measures, including training for aid workers, risk assessments, and security escorts.
Several member states of the Security Council expressed their support for the call to enhance protection for humanitarian workers. The United States, United Kingdom, and France condemned the attacks and pledged to work with other Council members to address the issue.
“The protection of humanitarian workers is a moral and legal imperative,” said US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield. “We must do everything we can to ensure that these brave individuals can carry out their life-saving work without fear for their safety.”
The Security Council is expected to discuss a draft resolution on the protection of humanitarian workers in the coming weeks. The resolution, if adopted, would send a strong message to all parties to conflict that attacks against aid workers will not be tolerated.
Security Council urged to ensure greater protection of humanitarian workers
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