UN Women statement for World Humanitarian Day

Last year, 504 men and women aid workers were killed and injured, a stark increase from 264 the previous year. The number of civilians killed in armed conflict increased by 72 per cent in 2023, reaching 33,000 persons, with the proportion of women killed doubling compared to the previous year. In addition, conflict-related sexual violence persists as a deliberate tactic of warfare. Attacks also increasingly target humanitarian and civilian infrastructure, such as hospitals, schools and playgrounds, destroying the places where aid workers deliver services. This includes women’s centres, which provide critical services to support resilience, self-reliance and protection and respond to the specific needs of women and girls in humanitarian contexts.

As members of impacted communities with an intimate knowledge of their people, networks and needs, women are often first responders during crises. They play a central role in the survival and resilience of their families and communities, despite limited resources, security threats, and access constraints. Their continued presence is non-negotiable during these critical times – and must be protected.

Now is the time to end impunity. Join our united stand in solidarity with humanitarian partners to #ActForHumanity. We must end the normalization of increasing attacks against civilians and aid workers. Actors in conflict must respect the rules of war. Civilians must be protected. Safe spaces must be protected. Aid workers must be protected.

We urge global leaders to end the growing impunity for International Humanitarian Law violations which has fostered increased attacks against aid workers and steady increases over the past 20 years in attacks on humanitarians and civilians alike.