UN OCHA Regional Office in Amman Marks World Humanitarian Day 2024 Demanding Stronger Actions to Protect Civilians and Humanitarians

Marking the World Humanitarian Day 2024, the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa joined the global campaign to spotlight the horrifying toll of armed conflicts, including on humanitarian workers, demanding that people in power act to end attacks on civilians, protect aid workers and hold perpetrators to account.

A solidarity stand, in presence of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and other representatives from the humanitarian community, was organized at the agency premises in the Jordanian capital Amman. Subsequently, a field visit took place alongside World Food Program (WFP) to the warehouses of the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO). 

“An outrageously high number of aid workers were killed in 2023 and unfortunately three of the five deadliest contexts are in the Middle East. Everywhere in the region, we are witnessing a troubling uptick in levels of violence and number of attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as humanitarian workers. We cannot let violence and impunity become the new normal” said Séverine Rey, Head of UN OCHA Regional Office in Amman. “Today we call on everyone to stand up for humanity and demand respect for international humanitarian law and accountability. Humanity is at the core of what makes us human and we must protect it. This is what humanitarians do every day.” 

According to the most recent data, 280 aid workers were killed last year, making 2023 the deadliest year on record for the global humanitarian community– and 2024 maybe on track for an even deadlier outcome. In all the conflicts, most of the casualties are among national staff. Since October, more than 289 aid workers have been killed in Gaza alone – the majority of them staff members of UNRWA. In the wider region, including Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, where many humanitarian workers continue to be detained to date, aid workers are operating in highly challenging contexts.  Humanitarian activities are too often hampered by ongoing hostilities, politicization, and misinformation, ultimately depriving people from the protection and support they need.