Caritas laments deaths of humanitarian workers

Several members of the global Caritas family lost their lives in Ukraine, Central African Republic and Gaza in that period. The war in Gaza has been particularly dangerous for aid workers. It is now the deadliest environment for humanitarians ever recorded in modern history.

Caritas humanitarian workers are currently responding to earthquakes in Indonesia, Venezuela and Colombia, floods in Pakistan and Bangladesh, and conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan, among many others. Closer to home, Caritas is supporting communities in Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea following Tropical Cyclone Maila.

Demand for humanitarian assistance has never been higher. Yet humanitarian funding is being reduced by donor governments, often in favour of increased defence spending, placing additional pressure on organisations already stretched by growing need.

The rise in attacks on aid workers is making this increasingly difficult situation even worse, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand said in a statement on World Humanitarian Day on August 19.

“Humanitarian workers are being killed, assaulted, detained, abducted and prevented from reaching communities in need. Most are not international staff. They are local people helping their own communities through war, displacement and natural disasters.

“The consequences reach far beyond the individuals directly affected. When aid workers cannot do their jobs safely, food stops coming, health services are disrupted and vulnerable families lose access to the help they need to survive.”

Caritas called on governments to move beyond expressions of concern.

“Aotearoa is a small country that depends on a strong multilateral system and respect for international law, including international humanitarian law. This helps explain why New Zealand has long championed the international rules-based order.

“When a humanitarian worker is deliberately targeted, it is not only an attack on an individual, but also on the humanitarian principles and the international legal framework that safeguards human dignity.

“The rules of war are clear. Civilians, including humanitarian and medical personnel, must be respected and protected. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to reach people in need.”

FULL STORY

World Humanitarian Day: Protect humanitarian workers & humanitarian law (Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand)

World Humanitarian Day (United Nations)