UNIS/SGSM/1424
19 August 2024
Wherever there is human suffering, humanitarian aid workers are striving to alleviate hardship and pain.
Humanitarian operations coordinated by the United Nations provided life-saving aid to more than 140 million people last year.
Aid workers, mostly national staff serving their own communities, persevered despite brutal violence.
They continued their efforts to overcome all obstacles to supporting people in need -- in the face of severe funding shortages.
On World Humanitarian Day, we once again salute their courage, their determination, and their service to humanity.
And we recognize that honouring aid workers is not enough.
2023 was the deadliest year on record for humanitarian personnel.
In Gaza, in Sudan, and in many other places, humanitarian workers are being attacked, killed, injured, and abducted, alongside the civilians they support.
Disinformation campaigns spread lies that cost lives.
International humanitarian law – the law that protects civilians during wartime – is being ignored and trampled.
A climate of impunity means perpetrators do not fear justice.
This is a failure of humanity, responsibility, and leadership.
On World Humanitarian Day, we demand an end to attacks on humanitarians and on all civilians.
We demand that governments put pressure on all parties to conflict to protect civilians.
We demand an end to arms transfers to armies and groups that violate international law.
We demand an end to impunity, so that perpetrators face justice.
Celebrating humanitarians is not enough.
We must all do more to protect and safeguard our common humanity.
***
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the University of Bonn have renewed their partnership, reinforcing their commitment to leveraging space technology in response to growing threats from natural and human-made disasters.
"On the International Day for People of African Descent, we honour the immense and diverse contributions of people of African descent to the vast spectrum of human achievements, and their tireless efforts to create a better world." — António Guterres
"The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty is the only prohibition on all nuclear testing, and an essential, verifiable security tool. In the name of the victims of nuclear tests and future generations, I call on all countries whose ratifications are needed for the Treaty to enter into force to do so— immediately and without conditions." — António Guterres
"Today, as we honour and remember the victims, let us reaffirm our commitment to creating a world where everyone, regardless of their religion or beliefs, can live free from fear, stigma, and persecution." — António Guterres
