Protect civilians and humanitarians: NP joins urgent calls on World Humanitarian Day 2024
19 August 2024 – On World Humanitarian Day 2024, NP is joining urgent and collective calls to #ActForHumanity and protect civilians and humanitarians. We stand in solidarity with countless communities and organisations who are working to protect and provide life-saving assistance under attack amid escalating crises around the world.
2023 marked the deadliest year on record for humanitarian workers, with figures continuing to escalate in 2024. Despite 75 years of international law that protects civilians and aid workers from attacks by parties to conflict, violations continue unchecked. Civilians and humanitarian workers are paying the price with their lives. This World Humanitarian Day, celebrating humanitarian workers is not enough. It is time for the international community – states, donors, organisations – to take meaningful and critical action to end impunity for attacks on civilians, and to stand for local actors working on frontlines and often shouldering enormous risks to serve their communities.
In Ukraine, local volunteers and organisations are the backbone of the humanitarian response—addressing civilian needs on the frontlines, facing incredible risk, often without recognition or compensation. “Being a humanitarian means #ActForHumanity, no matter what—something the Ukrainian volunteer response wholly embodies,” shared Anastasiya Marchuk, Head of Programmes for NP in Ukraine. When international actors deem activities like evacuations “too dangerous” to support, these volunteers refuse to take no for an answer, evacuating their neighbors and families themselves. This resilience is commendable, but it is unacceptable that they must do this work without the support they need. The international community needs to support Ukrainians rather than impose terms by adapting international support to the realities on the ground.
In Sudan, the constant threat of violence, disrupted food systems, and restrictions on humanitarian access have left more than half the population (25.6 million people) facing acute hunger, more than 8.5 million people facing emergency levels of hunger, and more than 755,000 people at risk of famine. Of the 10.7 million people internally displaced, many are staying with host families, “little-heralded frontline humanitarian responders who are sharing everything they have with friends, family, and strangers.” A vastly underfunded humanitarian response and the difficulties local organisations face accessing resources means many are without the urgent help they need. As we near 500 days of crisis, a comprehensive humanitarian response that prioritises the ongoing work of local actors like community-based protection teams or youth led emergency response rooms is long overdue.
The Sudan crisis extends to South Sudan, where climate impacts, conflict, and food insecurity create severe challenges. “Being a humanitarian means dedicating oneself to the service of others, striving to save lives, and creating a safe environment for those who are also working to make a difference,” reflected Ginana Philipe, NP Senior Protection Specialist in South Sudan. “It's about advancing causes that promote life and dignity in any form. While many people think humanitarian work is solely about providing food, there are numerous small actions that can make a significant impact.” This is true of the human rights defenders and journalists across South Sudan who risk their lives daily to work for peace; their efforts are crucial in uncovering truths and shaping their nation's future, yet they often face violence and intimidation.
In Iraq, local leaders—women, men, and youth—are at the forefront of peacebuilding and recovery efforts, navigating the complex terrain of a country scarred by years of violence. "In Iraq, we see the strength of our communities, particularly women, who have become pillars of peace and recovery,” shared Amira Bayoumi, NP International Protection Officer in Ba’aj, Iraq. “Their resilience and leadership are transforming our approach to humanitarian work, making it more inclusive and effective." Their work extends beyond traditional humanitarian roles, challenging norms and forging new paths towards reconciliation. Yet, their safety remains precarious, and their efforts often go unrecognized. As we face these evolving challenges, international actors must seriously engage with local communities as leaders in their own protection and action.
Humanitarians and civilians are under attack. Whether they are delivering aid, fighting food insecurity, defending human rights, or rebuilding communities, their work is fraught with danger. It is not just those in organisation staff who need protection—every person who steps up in these crises is a humanitarian. As people open their doors, share their food, and risk their lives, we have an urgent and collective responsibility to protect their ongoing work.
NP is an international protection agency. Our mission is to protect civilians in violent conflicts through unarmed strategies, build peace side-by-side with local communities, and advocate for the wider adoption of these approaches to safeguard human lives and dignity.