But Red Cross warns of attacks against medical staff
The secretary general of the United Nations has called on people across the world to consider what more they can do to help better the lives of those “enduring conflict, disaster and hardship”.
In a statement issued ahead of World Humanitarian Day on 19 August, Ban Ki-moon praised those who risk their lives to help wherever humanitarian crises occur.
“There is never a year without humanitarian crises. And wherever there are people in need, there are people who help them – men and women coming together to ease suffering and bring hope,” he said.
Ban’s message came as the world community continues to find ways of ending the ongoing crises in the Horn of Africa, Syria and elsewhere, where thousands of volunteers continue to give support.
“From Japan to Sudan, from Pakistan to the Horn of Africa, aid workers help people who have lost their homes, loved ones and sources of income,” he said. “These humanitarians often brave great danger, far from home. They work long hours, in the most difficult conditions. Their efforts save lives in conflict and natural disaster.
“They also draw the world closer together by reminding us that we are one family, sharing the same dreams for a peaceful planet, where all people can live in safety, and with dignity.”
Ban declared that World Humanitarian Day was a time to “honour these aid workers and thank them for their dedication. And we pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, in Afghanistan, Haiti and beyond.”
He added: “Too many have died, or suffered their own loss, in the course of duty. We pledge to do all we can to ensure the world’s humanitarians are kept safe to do their essential work.”
Meanwhile, last Wednesday the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned of an increasing rise in physicals attacks on medical facilities and personnel in crisis zones.
In its annual report, Healthcare in Danger, the ICRC states that 600 deliberate and accidental attacks were carried out globally against nurses, doctors, ambulances and hospitals in 16 countries between mid-2008 and the end of 2010.
“Clearly there is a trend in terms of no respect of healthcare… and more importantly for us, nobody seems to care about it,” said ICRC director-general Yves Daccord, as quoted by the BBC.
“A few years ago, when an ambulance was shelled or a hospital was taken by armed people, or doctors were arrested, there was an outcry. But now nobody – people, governments, armed groups – seems to be interested anymore.”
