WHD 2024: Act for Humanity
World Humanitarian Day 2024
This World Humanitarian Day, celebrating humanitarian workers is not enough.
We need those in power to act now to ensure protection of civilians, including humanitarians, in conflict zones.
2023 was the deadliest year on record for humanitarians. 2024 could be even worse.
Share this video to help us pressure parties to conflict and world leaders to take action.
We will take our combined voices to the United Nations General Assembly in New York this September to demand they #ActForHumanity.
Humanitarians under attack
Attacks harming humanitarians have become common and can be a violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
In 2023, 280 humanitarians were killed, most of them were national staff working to help their own communities.
By August this year, more than 170 humanitarians had been killed. At least another 150 had been injured or abducted.
The human toll of ignoring IHL
From looting and obstruction to attacks and kidnapping, threats to humanitarian workers' safety and movement compromise a lifeline to millions of people in need.
This results in ordinary people losing access to essentials such as food, water and medical care.
The destruction of hospitals, schools and other civilian infrastructure devastates communities for generations.
In 2024, global humanitarian operations provided life-saving aid to almost XXX million people.
Despite the challenges, humanitarians persist in striving to help all those in need.
Who is responsible?
Last year marked the 75th anniversary of the 1949 Geneva Conventions – part of the foundation of IHL and the global consensus that wars must have limits.
Parties to armed conflict are obligated to uphold IHL.
All States must use their influence to prevent and end IHL violations.
The issue isn’t the absence of rules but the failure to uphold them.
We need political will and courage to ensure respect for IHL.
#The rules of war: All parties to armed conflict – States and non-State armed groups alike – must respect international humanitarian law.
This means they must:
Protect all civilians, including humanitarian workers and all civilian objects, including humanitarian assets.
Allow humanitarian aid to reach all civilians who need it, safely, quickly and without obstruction.
Care for wounded and sick people and protect medical personnel, facilities and transports.
Protect objects indispensable for civilians’ survival, such as crops and drinking water.
Treat all people under their control humanely. Torture, sexual violence and other forms of inhumane treatment are strictly prohibited.
Resources
What is International Humanitarian Law?
ICRC
Rapid support for aid workers at risk
Protect Aid Workers
UN Secretary General’s Report on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict
UN
UN Security Council resolution on the protection of humanitarian personnel
UN
Open Letter to the Member States of the UN General Assembly
IASC
2023 Aid Worker Security Report
Humanitarian Outcomes
How can you help?
Add your voice by sharing the campaign video.
Together, we will send a message to parties to conflict and world leaders that they can’t ignore.
We will take our combined voices to the UN General Assembly in New York this September to demand that they #ActForHumanity.