The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), the peak body for Australian humanitarian agencies, welcomes the Australian Government’s initiative to champion the protection of humanitarian personnel during the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week in New York.  

“ACFID welcomes the Australian Government using its voice at the United Nations to champion the important need for the protection of humanitarian personnel through leading discussions on a new declaration. We are pleased to see the Australian Foreign Minister’s leadership on such an important issue,” said ACFID CEO Marc Purcell.   

“We hope that the Declaration has a particular focus on the need for accountability and consequences for breaches of international humanitarian law, ” said Mr Purcell.  

In August, ACFID, along with 60 prominent Australians, signed an open letter to mark World Humanitarian Day, warning that the safeguards designed to protect humanitarian workers are breaking down and called on the Australian Government to uphold its obligations under the Geneva Conventions and ensure accountability where these are breached.  

“We call on the Australian Government to also lead the way in ensuring that existing accountability measures are utilised to ensure consequences where these laws are violated. The Australian Government and other Governments can utilise these mechanisms right now to place pressure on states which are violating international humanitarian law” stated Mr Purcell.  

ACFID will continue to seek tangible actions from the government to ensure the protection of aid workers everywhere.   

Background: 

This Government has announced a new initiative to drive action to protect aid workers in conflict zones. It will convene a cross-regional group of ministers to advocate for global action on the protection and safety of aid workers, culminating in a comprehensive declaration that reaffirms humanitarian law and outlines actionable steps to enhance protections. 

Since the beginning of 2023, over 450 humanitarian aid workers have been killed globally, marking the deadliest period for aid workers in over two decades. As we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, the foundation of International Humanitarian Law, there is a critical opportunity to reinforce these vital protections. 

For more information, please contact Lisa Tadrosse at 0401 721 064 or at [email protected]