Refugees International Marks Grim World Humanitarian Day

Statement from Refugees International President Jeremy Konyndyk:

“World Humanitarian Day commemorates the death of 23 people in the 2003 bombing of UN offices at the Canal Hotel in Baghdad. It is a day both to honor the commitment of humanitarians working in high-risk crises and to mourn and remember those we have lost.

This year is perhaps the grimmest World Humanitarian Day since that bombing two decades ago. The past year has been the deadliest in humanitarian history, a toll driven most heavily by the conflict in Gaza, which has killed 284 humanitarian staff since fighting began last October. Indiscriminate bombing by the Israeli Defense Forces, and a wanton failure to protect humanitarian workers, have made Gaza the most dangerous place on earth for humanitarians. While World Humanitarian Day originated with a suicide bombing carried out by terrorists, the greatest threats to humanitarians this year have been attacks by the military of a UN member state, many carried out with arms provided by the United States, the world’s largest humanitarian donor and a permanent member of the UN Security Council. This is utterly unacceptable, and it is urgent that all sides in this conflict agree immediately to a cease-fire and release of hostages.

But Gaza is not the only place where humanitarians are at risk. Sixteen humanitarians have been killed in Sudan this year as fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces has worsened. Russia has targeted humanitarians and first responders repeatedly in Ukraine, including with grotesque “double-tap” airstrikes. Humanitarian personnel have also been killed in Syria, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and elsewhere. In all of these crises, the greatest risks are borne by nationals of the affected countries – an important reminder of the centrality of local leadership in humanitarian action.

International Humanitarian Law makes it explicitly clear that warring parties must protect humanitarian personnel. In too many conflicts today, that obligation is ignored with impunity. The best way to honor the humanitarians we have lost is to protect those who, under the most dangerous circumstances, continue to put themselves in harm’s way to save the lives of others.”

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Etant Dupain at edupain@refugeesinternational.org.