EU pays special tribute to humanitarian workers on World Humanitarian Day
The European Union has paid special tribute to, and honoured all humanitarian workers around the globe who were working to help people in need, as the world marked World Humanitarian Day.
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The EU also honoured the memory of all those who had sacrificed their lives to save the lives of others, as well as those who had risked their lives while bringing assistance to victims of wars and natural disasters worldwide.
World Humanitarian Day
A joint statement signed and issued by the High Representative/Vice-President of the EU, Madam Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Christos Stylianides on 2016 World Humanitarian Day which fell yesterday said the World Humanitarian Day marked the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, when 22 humanitarian workers lost their lives, including the UN Special Representative in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello.
The statement noted that “The tragic images of children from Aleppo in Syria sadly show all too clearly the real human suffering of millions of people around the world caught up in humanitarian crises.”
The EU, therefore, reiterated the urgent need for all parties to the conflict to restore the cessation of hostilities, ensure the lifting of all sieges and allow sustained, countrywide humanitarian access to those in need in Syria.
“We are in close contact with the UN Special Representative, Staffan de Mistura, to support the efforts to allow humanitarian organisations to provide lifesaving aid and bring a political solution to the conflict”, the statement added.
400 Humanitarian workers
It observed that nearly 4000 humanitarian workers had become victims of major attacks since records began in 1997.
Tragically, over one third of them were killed, paying the ultimate price to serve humanity and must not forget their sacrifice, the statement urged.
It stressed the need to strengthen our understanding of and respect for International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the four humanitarian principles namely; humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.
“We reaffirm our commitment to defend IHL and these principles which should be the shield of humanitarian workers while they do their job and ensure access to people most in need,” the statement assured.
Last year, the statement said the European Commission mobilised the largest ever humanitarian aid budget to assist those in the greatest need. From the victims of the conflicts in Syria and South Sudan, to strengthening our support for education in emergencies, or helping those affected by the "El Niño" extreme weather phenomenon, our help has supported the most vulnerable.
