World Humanitarian Day: Humanitarians Still Endangered Everywherre

By Janet Ekstract

NEW YORK- On World Humanitarian Day, August 19, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that humanitarians are still in danger and he said there is a “blatant disregard for international humanitarian and human rights law.” This year marks the 20^th anniversary of the fatal attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad where many U.N. colleagues and officials were killed, Guterres said in a formal statement.  He said it was because of that incident that humanitarians and their operations changed. The secretary-general commented that in 2023, the goal of humanitarian operations is to get life-saving help to 250 million people in 69 countries which he said is ten-fold than at the time the Canal Hotel was bombed in Baghdad.

Guterres reiterated that the main issue for humanitarian operations is still not enough funding and that the more conflicts and crisis arise, “it’s unacceptable that humanitarians are being forced to reduce aid to millions of people in need.” Numerous challenges are faced by humanitarians, he pointed out. Several examples include “deliberate assault and disinformation campaigns,” violations of humanitarian laws and in general, humanitarian efforts being undermined and attacked. Despite these challenges, Guterres emphasized this has only strengthened the humanitarian community who he said are “finding new ways to venture deeper into disaster-stricken regions.” 

He highlighted the fact that humanitarians are “driven by a single purpose” which is to save and protect lives and Guterres reminded everyone to remember that “On this World Humanitarian Day, we salute the courage and dedication of humanitarian aid workers everywhere.” The U.N. chief said the United Nations reaffirms its “full support” for humanitarian aid workers while lauding their courage and dedication. He added: “We reaffirm our full support for their determined and lifesaving efforts across the world,” while celebrating their “unwavering dedication “ to serve everyone in need – “no matter who, no matter where, no matter what.”