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	Protect civilians and aid workers: A global call on World Humanitarian Day by OCHA, IASC, 413 humanitarian organizations   19 Aug. 2024   Protect civilians and aid workers: A global call on World Humanitarian Day   Open Letter to all States of the UN General Assembly, on behalf of the Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Principals and signed by 413 humanitarian organizations around the world who are calling for the protection of civilians, including their staff:   This World Humanitarian Day, our staff and volunteers around the world will stand in solidarity to spotlight the horrifying toll of armed conflicts on their colleagues and on all civilians, particularly children.   The brutal hostilities we are seeing in multiple conflicts around the world have exposed a terrible truth: We are living in an era of impunity. Attacks that kill or injure civilians, including humanitarian and health-care personnel, are devastatingly common. Yet despite widespread condemnation, serious violations of the rules of war too often go unpunished. This status quo is shameful and cannot continue.   In 2023, tens of thousands of civilians were killed or injured in armed conflict, with fatalities among humanitarian workers doubling compared to the previous year.   The toll in 2024 – the number of deaths, injuries, detentions and kidnappings – is already staggering. The overwhelming majority of recorded attacks on aid workers are inflicted on national staff.   Women-led organizations and female humanitarian staff face unique and often increased risks, just because they are women. The impact on the mental health of civilians and humanitarian workers has reached unprecedented levels.   And yet parties to conflict continue to flout laws meant to protect civilians, including humanitarian workers, and civilian objects.   This year, on World Humanitarian Day, we appeal to all States, parties to armed conflict, and the wider international community to:   End attacks on civilians and take active steps to protect them – and the critical civilian infrastructure they rely on.   Protect all aid workers, including local and national actors, and their premises and assets and facilitate their work, as called for in UN Security Council Resolution 2730 adopted this May.   Hold perpetrators to account. Those who commit violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) cannot go unpunished.   We should not have to wait for an annual moment such as World Humanitarian Day to remind all parties to armed conflict, and all States, of their obligations under IHL. Adherence to IHL must happen every day irrespective of occasion. It is non-negotiable and is not subject to exceptions.   It is vital that all parties to armed conflict and all States adhere to their obligations and leverage their influence to ensure respect for the rules of war and minimize human suffering.   Fulfilling these obligations requires more than mere declarations – it demands immediate and decisive actions.Turning a blind eye when humanitarian workers are targeted only emboldens those who seek to hinder their work.   This only serves to increase food insecurity, childhood malnutrition, involuntary displacement and the spread of infectious diseases and other threats. The immediate effects of these will not only be limited to areas of conflict but often spread far beyond.   We will continue to stay and deliver in humanitarian crises around the world – but the situation requires us to take a united stand to call for the protection of our staff, volunteers and the civilians we serve.   http://interagencystandingcommittee.org/open-letter-member-states-un-general-assembly-behalf-iasc-principals http://www.unocha.org/news/protect-civilians-and-aid-workers-global-call-world-humanitarian-day http://www.unocha.org/news/un-relief-chief-decries-bullets-and-bombs-against-aid-workers http://www.worldhumanitarianday.org/ http://www.un.org/en/observances/humanitarian-day/messages   http://reliefweb.int/report/world/2024-statement-members-ngo-working-group-protection-civilians http://www.unocha.org/news/un-deputy-relief-chief-appeals-security-council-full-protection-civilians http://www.undocs.org/S/2024/385 http://www.icrc.org/en/news-release/geneva-conventions-75th-anniversary-foundational-treaties-save-lives-and-dignity http://www.icrc.org/en/document/75th-anniversary-geneva-conventions http://www.icrc.org/en/document/icrc-president-spoljaric-destruction-despair-should-not-let-us-forget-wars-have-limits http://www.icrc.org/en/document/global-and-collective-failure-to-protect-civilians-in-armed-conflict http://www.ifrc.org/get-involved/campaign-us/stand-us-protect-humanity   http://www.care-international.org/news/impunity-must-end-attacks-aid-workers-rise-record-high http://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/statement/2024/08/un-women-statement-for-world-humanitarian-day http://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/attacks-on-health-are-becoming-the-new-reality--we-must-stop-this-becoming-the-norm http://news.un.org/en/story/2024/08/1153326 http://www.unicef.org/press-releases/meaningful-action-prevent-use-explosive-weapons-populated-areas-could-almost-halve http://www.hi-us.org/en/campaign/stop-bombing-civilians http://www.inew.org/news/ http://www.unicef.org/topics/humanitarian-action-and-emergencies http://data.stopwaronchildren.org http://www.stopwaronchildren.org/   http://www.unfpa.org/news/health-and-humanitarian-workers-face-record-violence-here-are-5-reasons-world-must-take-action http://insecurityinsight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/The-Effects-on-Health-Care-of-the-Use-of-Explosive-Weapons-July-2024.pdf http://www.msf.org/ http://www.globalr2p.org/resources/resolution-2286-protection-of-civilians-s-res-2286/ http://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/remarks-unrwa-chief-staff-mr-ben-majekodunmi-world-humanitarian-day-2024-un-commemoration http://unocha.exposure.co/act-for-humanity http://odi.org/en/insights/world-humanitarian-day-2024-act-for-humanity/ http://www.interaction.org/blog/world-humanitarian-day-2024/ http://www.mercycorps.org/press-room/releases/mercy-corps-world-humanitarian-day-2024 http://www.helpage.org/news/world-humanitarian-day-2024-a-call-to-protect-those-who-serve http://www.concern.net/news/world-failing-humanitarian-workers-and-people-they-support   7 Aug. 2024   Yemen: Humanitarian organisations call for immediate access and release of detained colleagues   After two months of no contact, CARE International, Oxfam and Save the Children are repeating their calls for immediate access to staff detained by authorities in northern Yemen and call for their immediate and unconditional release.   At least 18 staff members of UN entities and International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) and many others associated with civil society organisations, national and international NGOs, and other entities supporting humanitarian activities, were taken into detention two months ago.   The whereabouts of the detained staff remain unknown, and neither their families nor the organisations have been able to speak to them or see them. Some of those detained have pre-existing medical conditions.   These kinds of detentions are unprecedented and directly impede the organisations’ ability to reach 18.2 million people in Yemen who need humanitarian aid and protection, which is about half the population and includes 14 million women and children.   All detained staff members were working as part of the agencies’ life-saving responses to one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises which continues to deteriorate after almost a decade of conflict. An uptick in violence and severe weather events have seen further displacement of 75,600 people since the beginning of 2024.   Yemen continues to have one of the world’s highest numbers of internally displaced people - at least 4.5 million people - many of whom have been displaced multiple times.   The three INGOs said in a joint statement:   "We are extremely concerned for the wellbeing of our colleagues who have now been held in detention for almost two months. We have had no contact with them and we still do not know where they are held despite repeated calls to authorities. Their families have also been kept in the dark. We call for access to our colleagues and their immediate release.   “Every day the situation for millions of Yemenis gets worse due to the collision of conflict and displacement, protection concerns, climate change, and economic deterioration. It is vital that our teams have unhindered access and the ability to carry out their duties without the threat of arbitrary arrest and intimidation so that they can make a positive impact on the lives of the people of Yemen.   As humanitarian agencies, we have been supporting communities in Yemen for many decades preceding the latest conflict that began in 2015. Our commitment and engagement have been longstanding and we remain determined to address the humanitarian needs of Yemenis.   Increasing restrictions and threats against the safety of humanitarian aid workers will impact the community members who have suffered the brunt of this conflict. We remind authorities in northern Yemen that humanitarian organisations and aid workers operate in line with the humanitarian principles of independence, neutrality, impartiality and humanity.   "International Humanitarian Law requires all parties to armed conflict to respect and protect humanitarian personnel, including against harassment, mistreatment, and unlawful arrest or detention. More broadly, the targeting of humanitarian, human rights, and development workers in Yemen must stop. All those detained must be immediately released."   CARE International has been present in Yemen since 1992 and operates across 14 governorates. Last year, CARE reached approximately 2.8 million people with food security and livelihoods, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), reproductive health, women’s economic empowerment, and education programmes.   Oxfam has been working in Yemen for more than 40 years and maintains an impartial approach to ensure delivery of humanitarian assistance to those most in need including in hard-to-reach areas of the country. Since July 2015, Oxfam has helped more than three million people in nine governorates of Yemen with clean water and sanitation, cash assistance and food vouchers.   Save the Children, an independent and impartial child rights organisation, has been working Yemen since 1963 and is currently active in 11 governorates, focusing on food security, health, nutrition, child protection, education, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) initiatives. Last year Save the Children reached about 2.3. million people in Yemen.   http://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/note-correspondents/2024-10-12/principals-of-affected-united-nations-entities-and-international-non-governmental-organizations-renew-their-call-for-the-immediate-release-of-detained http://www.savethechildren.net/news/yemen-two-months-humanitarian-organisations-call-immediate-access-and-release-detained http://www.who.int/news/item/13-06-2024-detention-of-united-nations-and-non-governmental-organization-personnel-in-yemen Visit the related web page
	Children and war: We must turn good intentions into action by Plan, Save the Children, World Vision European Union   July 2024   In every conflict being waged across the world – those grabbing headlines or far from view – innocent children suffer the most.   Last year was one of the worst on record, with the UN’s latest annual report on children and armed conflict revealing that the number experiencing grave violations rose by a shocking 21 percent, with a 35 percent rise in the killing and maiming. This year looks set to beat this grim record, as details of violations of international law and shocking disregard for children’s lives make the news daily.   In view of this, last month’s release of the EU’s long-awaited updated Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflict was an important step to enable the EU and its member states to take a stronger, united stance to protect children caught in the crossfires of conflict and war.   One month after adoption, and as MEPs met for the first plenary post-elections last week, a key focus must be on turning the guidelines from intentions into actions at a scale that can save lives, alleviate suffering, ensure accountability and address impunity.   With over 250 parliamentary candidates signing the Child Rights Manifesto ahead of the European elections, and more than 70 of these now elected, putting children at the top of the agenda is also a priority for the European Parliament.   Conflicts devastate the lives of children   The pressing need for action couldn’t be clearer if we look at the deteriorating situations in Haiti, Gaza and Sudan, just three of the many humanitarian crises devastating communities and destroying children’s hopes, health, and lives.   In Haiti, where gang violence is surging, up to half of all armed group members are children.   In Gaza, children are being killed at an unprecedented rate, dying from hunger and disease at the fastest pace on record. Conflict-induced hunger has put nearly half a million more children at risk of death.   Following 15 months of escalating war in Sudan, the world’s largest hunger crisis has reached yet another unacceptably dangerous tipping point.   In the past three months alone, the numbers facing high levels of acute food insecurity or worse have jumped by 40 percent, now impacting a shocking 25.6 million people.   Beyond the risk of death and extreme suffering, conflict also increases inequalities, poverty and destroys access to essential services.   Education is a frequent casualty, affecting the futures of entire generations. Education can be a lifesaver as out-of-school children become easy targets of abuse, exploitation and recruitment by armed forces and groups. In 2023, conflict and crises forced a staggering 72 million children out of school. Many are forced to leave to provide for their families while others are prevented from safely reaching their school.   Girls are coerced into early and forced marriages, a practice which increases during conflict: At least 12 million girls are married every year before turning 18, a shocking 28 girls per minute.   Children are abducted, trafficked and forced into armed forces or groups, and are subjected to many forms of violence, including sexual exploitation.   Three ways for the EU to turn ambition into action   Coming just weeks after worrying leaks implying that the new Commission’s development arm – DG INTPA – might move focus away from fragile states, these guidelines are even more reassuring, offering a comprehensive list of priorities and identifying essential components for the enhanced protection of children.   Acknowledging the long-term impacts of armed conflicts, they also emphasise the need for accountability, as well as recognise that children are not one homogenous group, highlighting the specific impacts on those with disabilities, the gendered dimension of grave violations, and the worsening effects of poverty and inequalities, among others.   The EU and its member states must now rally around these guidelines to make them a reality. Three key steps will be necessary to do so:   Firstly, decision-makers need to develop a concrete action plan. Political agreements are only as good as their implementation in practice. The EU must build on current momentum, offering a detailed roadmap to fully and swiftly operationalise these critical guidelines.   Secondly, the EU needs to sufficiently resource efforts to reach the most affected and at-risk children, their parents, guardians and communities. This is also true for EU teams tasked with implementing and monitoring progress, including in partner countries.   Finally, a transparent monitoring process must be put in place that meaningfully involves civil society. The European Parliament has a key role here to ensure accountability both from the Commission and member states.   These guidelines come at a critical juncture and must become a compass for the EU’s support to children affected by armed conflict by truly creating a safer and more hopeful future for them. The time for action is now. Children’s lives depend on it.   * Niamh Nic Carthaigh, Plan International Head of EU Liaison Office and Senior EU Representative; Willy Bergogne, Save the Children Europe Director and EU Representative; Jeroen Uytterschaut, World Vision EU Representative and Executive Director.   http://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/arb724db54 http://www.hrw.org/news/2025/06/20/violations-soar-against-children-in-armed-conflict Visit the related web page
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