Today on World Humanitarian Day 2024, 60 prominent Australians have signed an open letter from the Safer World for All campaign warning the safeguards designed to protect humanitarian workers are breaking down.
UnitingWorld National Director Dr Sureka Goringe was a signatory, alongside Australian children’s author Mem Fox, former Labor international development minister Melissa Parke, former Labor senator Claire Moore, former United Nations Commissioner for Refugees Erika Feller, former Australian Council of Trade Unions President Sharan Burrow AC, and Assistant National Secretary, Australian Services Union Emeline Gaske.
The statement calls on the federal government to uphold its obligations under the Geneva Conventions and hold countries accountable for breaches of international humanitarian law.
“The global humanitarian system has never faced a greater threat,” reads the statement.
“At the same time as donor resources and commitment are dwindling in the face of unprecedented demand, the rules that underpin our ability to provide assistance are being eroded without serious challenge. Only 18% of the global humanitarian funding needed has been received, whilst 300 million people are expected to require humanitarian assistance this year alone.”
“The rules and norms which keep frontline responders and civilians safe are losing effect. No matter how much humanitarian workers put measures in place to protect themselves and civilians, the structures keeping them safe are breaking down.”
Join the Safer World for All Campaign