It’s World Humanitarian Day
European Commissioner Christos Stylianides praises aid workers who lost their lives
The European Union is committed to protecting humanitarian workers and supports World Humanitarian Day every year on Aug.19, the EU said in a press release
Today marks the day in 2003 when 22 humanitarians lost their lives in the bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq. Saving lives should not cost lives. This is why on World Humanitarian Day we commemorate the brave women and men who died whilst in humanitarian service. Today, we honor humanitarian workers who continue to risk their lives as they help people who suffer,” Christos Stylianides, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, said in a statement.
Their selfless efforts are an inspiration to us all. Humanitarian crises are more
devastating than ever before with an increase in the number of natural disasters and conflicts. The needs of victims are real and lives are in danger,: he added.
Ongoing conflicts and insecurity hamper the delivery of humanitarian aid. This prevents millions of people from receiving life-saving assistance. Unfortunately there's an alarming trend of increased violence against aid workers and violations of International Humanitarian Law. In 2014, over 300 aid workers were attacked, kidnapped or killed, Stylianides concluded.
The European Union as a whole has provided humanitarian aid for more than 40 years and is, together with its member states, today the world's largest donor of humanitarian aid, according to the EU’s information.
Mehmet Ali Arslan Times