Colleagues, the scale and severity of threats to humanitarian personnel is alarming. As we’ve heard today, 2024 is already the deadliest year on record for humanitarian workers and we have not reached the end.
The tragic loss of life, including in Gaza, Sudan, and South Sudan is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who deliver lifesaving assistance, and provide hope, in the toughest of circumstances.
Humanitarian workers, including national and local actors, should never be targeted for doing their jobs. We owe them more than words of support. I would like to highlight three actions member states must take:
First, to facilitate rapid and full humanitarian access to all civilians in need and fully comply with international humanitarian law. This is a bare minimum and reflected in the 1949 Geneva Conventions which we have all ratified.
Second, take all feasible steps to ensure effective and trusted deconfliction mechanisms are in place and utilised, in line with the obligations of parties to a conflict to protect humanitarian personnel. We urge states to investigate attacks swiftly and hold perpetrators to account.
Finally, do more to counter misinformation and disinformation, which poses an increasing threat to UN and humanitarian staff.
Colleagues, attacks targeting humanitarian personnel are violations of international humanitarian law and unacceptable. This Council must stand united in defending those who protect the most vulnerable.
The UK thanks Switzerland for its leadership on Resolution 2730 which we are happy to co-sponsor. We urge Member States to implement this resolution and to ensure the principles we affirm today allow humanitarian workers to do their jobs safely and free from fear.