UN Secretary-General calls for end to attacks on aid workers and civilians

On World Humanitarian Day (August 19), United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres honored humanitarian aid workers and called for an end to attacks against them and civilians.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres honors humanitarian aid workers. Photo: UN

In his message, UN Secretary-General Guterres praised the courage and spirit of service of humanitarian aid workers to alleviate hardship and suffering for people.

In 2023, UN-coordinated humanitarian operations reached more than 140 million people amid severe funding shortfalls. However, it was also the deadliest year for aid workers on record. In Gaza, Sudan and elsewhere around the world, humanitarian workers were attacked, killed, injured and kidnapped, along with the people they assisted.

Statistics from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) show that 280 aid workers died in 33 countries in 2023, more than double the number in 2022. According to OCHA, the number of aid workers killed in 2024 could be even higher, as 172 aid workers have died (as of August 7).

In Somalia in particular, statistics show that in 2024, there were 124 incidents affecting humanitarian access in Somalia, including 13 incidents of assault, harassment and intimidation that injured 12 aid workers.

Somalia is currently witnessing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with millions of people suffering from the increasingly severe impacts of climate change, protracted conflict, disease and economic instability, according to the UN.

KHANH HUNG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/tong-thu-ky-lien-hop-quoc-yeu-cau-ngung-cac-cuoc-tan-cong-nham-vao-nhan-vien-cuu-tro-va-dan-thuong-post754873.html