On November 26, Greece joined its voice with 115 other United Nations member states in a joint statement delivered by the Swiss Mission, during a Security Council Media Stakeout for the protection of the UN personnel at humanitarian missions. Under the motto “protect the protectors”, the statement was meant to reaffirm the member states’ commitment to promote respect for the international humanitarian law and protect the humanitarian workers at the front line who often risk their own safety to provide aid.
As the Swiss Permanent Representative stressed: “Today, there are more than 120 armed conflicts around the world. Humanitarian needs are on the rise and so is violence against humanitarian missions’ personnel. In 2023 alone, 150 humanitarian workers were killed, injured, detained or kidnapped in the line of duty. Developments in 2024 are even more alarming. This is not acceptable. International humanitarian law is crystal clear: We must protect and respect UN and humanitarian personnel”.
On May 24, the Security Council adopted resolution 2730 (2024), which calls on States to respect and protect United Nations and humanitarian personnel in accordance with their obligations under international law.