World Humanitarian Day: let’s make protecting each other our greatest achievement
The world marks World Humanitarian Day to honor humanitarian workers and stand with people affected by crises. Humanitarian workers continue to be killed, injured, abducted, detained, and obstructed while carrying out their work. Attacks on humanitarian personnel have con…
Intelligence analysis by Llama
The world marks World Humanitarian Day to honor humanitarian workers and stand with people affected by crises. Attacks on humanitarian personnel have consequences far beyond the individuals directly affected.
Imagine you're in a war zone and you need help. Humanitarian workers are like superheroes who come to help you. But sometimes, they get hurt or killed. We need to protect them and the people they're helping.
Analysis
World Humanitarian Day: A Time to Honor Humanitarian Workers and Stand with People Affected by Crises
On 19 August, the world marks World Humanitarian Day, a time to honor humanitarian workers and to stand with people affected by crises around the world. When lives are at risk, the people who come to help should never be targets. Yet humanitarian workers continue to be killed, injured, abducted, detained, and obstructed while carrying out their work.
Most humanitarian personnel affected by violence are national staff working in the places where they live. Protection efforts must reflect the risks they face and ensure that local and national responders have the resources, training, and support they need.
Every life is more than a number. Every humanitarian worker killed leaves behind family members, friends, colleagues, and communities whose lives are forever changed. World Humanitarian Day honors their lives, service, and legacy, while renewing the call to protect those who continue this work.
Local Humanitarian Workers Face the Greatest Risks
Local humanitarian workers face the greatest risks. They are often the ones who are most affected by violence and are also the ones who are most likely to be killed or injured. Protection efforts must reflect the risks they face and ensure that local and national responders have the resources, training, and support they need.
US-Israeli Attacks on Iranian Civilians
Over the past 60 years, civilians have been the main victims of the wars; hence their protection in armed conflicts is regarded a cornerstone of international humanitarian law. However, the United States and Israel forces have been launching violent attacks on Iran targeting residential areas, and bombarding health, educational, and sport infrastructures. Their violation of international humanitarian law has been confirmed and condemned by many individuals, media, and international organizations worldwide.
"The principle of distinction between civilians and combatants is an important principle of the international humanitarian law; it only justifies targeting armed forces. Civilians have to be treated with respect. Even political officials who are not directly involved in wars are not legitimate targets. It highlights that injured military forces should not be targeted, let alone rescuers, children, and health staff, and in case the invasion of military targets would bring about too much damage to civilians, it is better not to be carried out," Behzad Saberi, an international law expert, said in an interview with IRNA.
The protection of civilians extends to those who try to help them, including medical staff, humanitarian and relief organizations that are providing essential goods such as food, clothing, medical tools, and parties to a conflict should not violate the law.
Key points
- Humanitarian workers continue to be killed, injured, abducted, detained, and obstructed while carrying out their work.
- Attacks on humanitarian personnel have consequences far beyond the individuals directly affected.
- Local humanitarian workers face the greatest risks and need protection and support.
- US-Israeli attacks on Iranian civilians have been condemned by many individuals, media, and international organizations worldwide.
- The protection of civilians and humanitarian workers is crucial in armed conflicts.
If we work together to protect humanitarian workers and civilians, we can create a safer and more compassionate world. We can ensure that those who need help receive it, and that those who help others are safe and respected.
If we don't take action to protect humanitarian workers and civilians, the consequences will be devastating. More lives will be lost, and the world will become a more dangerous and divided place.
