World Humanitarian Day – #NotATarget

Today, the lives of millions of people are being destroyed by war. Many have had to flee their home for safety. Children have had to give up school. Essentials such as food, water and safe shelter become inaccessible. Families are torn apart. For those who survive, especially for children, the trauma can be overwhelming.

With the horrific attack on a school bus in Yemen just last week, it is especially important that we take the opportunity today to emphasise that children are #NotATarget.

Aid Workers are #NotATarget

Today is also an opportunity to thank and pay tribute to our incredibly dedicated friends, colleagues and all the humanitarian workers around the world who put their own life at risk to improve and save the lives of others.

Sadly, the world is becoming a more dangerous place for humanitarian workers. In 2017, at least 313 aid workers were victims of violent attacks, with 139 brave, dedicated and committed people losing their lives. This is the second highest death annual toll on record.

For the third year in a row, South Sudan was the most dangerous country for aid workers, with more than a quarter of all attacks taking place there. However, with the recent announcement of a new peace deal which could see the end of a brutal five year civil war, there is hope that this worrying trend will not continue.

In Trócaire, our partners – small, local organisations that we work with to deliver help to where it’s needed – are at the coalface, often placing their own lives at risk, in countries where governments often don’t even allow access to the most vulnerable people.

As a signatory to the Charter for Change, Trocaire calls on all involved in conflicts to meet their obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure safe access to people in need of humanitarian assistance and protection, for all humanitarian and civil society personnel.

Learn more about Trócaire’s humanitarian work around the world

You can also sign the UN’s Living Petition with a selfie to demand that world leaders take action to protect civilians in conflict.