On World Humanitarian Day #ActForHumanity
For this World Humanitarian Day, 19 August, we stand with humanitarian organisations and the sacrifices of those working for humanitarian causes across the world in our commitment to #ActForHumanity.
2023 was the deadliest year on record for humanitarian workers and 2024 is on track to be even worse with escalating attacks in Palestine and Sudan, in Myanmar and Ukraine.
In a year marking 75 years since the adoption of the Geneva Conventions, we must uphold international treaties that contain crucial rules limiting the barbarity of war and form the basis of International Humanitarian Law.
As the United Nations says: “Despite universally accepted international laws to regulate the conduct of armed conflict and limit its impact, violations of these laws continue unabated, unchallenged and unchecked. And while civilians, including aid workers, pay the ultimate price, the perpetrators continue to evade justice.”
In 2024, the Sydney Peace Foundation highlights the global work of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a humanitarian network of 17 million volunteers and staff, “for saving lives and preventing the suffering of people affected by armed conflict, for its advocacy for peace, and for its commitment to International Humanitarian Law.”
There is an urgent need to refocus on foundational support for International Humanitarian Law and demand an end to escalating violations together with an end to impunity which has enabled these violations.
After 10 months of devastation in the Middle East, over 200 humanitarian aid workers and over 500 medical workers have been killed since the conflict in Gaza and Israel began and the region is now the deadliest place on Earth where nowhere is safe.
This year the Sydney Peace Prize award funds will be directed to the Red Cross Movement’s operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. More information can be found here.