The President has stated that a safe environment must be ensured for humanitarian aid workers to carry out their work. He said this in a social media post shared on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day. The President said that as we mark World Humanitarian Day today, the Maldives stands with those who courageously provide humanitarian assistance in wars and disasters around the world. He emphasized the need to recognize those working to provide humanitarian aid in Gaza and other parts of the world as we commemorate this day.
He said that the work and sacrifices made by these individuals for humanity are a force for establishing peace and justice in different parts of the world. Therefore, he stated that it is essential to ensure the protection and safety they need and to guarantee that humanitarian aid reaches vulnerable populations. While the President highlighted humanitarian aid workers in Gaza on World Humanitarian Day, the Maldives has condemned Israel for obstructing the delivery of necessary aid to Gaza. The Maldives has also called on international parties to pressure for adequate aid to be allowed into Gaza.
As World Humanitarian Day is being marked today, this year’s theme is “Act for Humanity”. This theme is based on addressing the current financial challenges in providing humanitarian aid, the increased burden on the system, and working against attacks. According to UN statistics, in the past year alone, 380 humanitarian aid workers were killed while active in their work. Additionally, the UN notes that hundreds more have been taken hostage, arrested, or abused.
This day began to be observed in 2008 through a resolution passed by the UN General Assembly. The day is marked to coincide with the date of the 2003 attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, which killed 22 humanitarian aid workers.
