Protecting those who protect others

Every day, humanitarian workers make an extraordinary commitment.

They step into some of the world's most challenging environments to work with and alongside impacted communities, delivering food, water, shelter and medical care to people affected by conflict. They support families displaced by crises, reconnect loved ones separated by war, and help communities navigate immense hardship.

They do this because people affected by conflict have a right to receive humanitarian assistance.

Today, however, the risks facing humanitarian personnel are increasing.

According to the United Nations, more than 1,000 humanitarian workers have been killed in conflict zones over the past three years. Behind that figure are individuals, colleagues, friends, family members and community members. Many were volunteers and staff from local organisations serving their own communities through some of their most difficult moments.

For the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, this reality is deeply personal. Since 2023, close to 100 volunteers and staff across the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Movement have died or been killed while serving their communities. A threefold increase from the previous five years.

The trend continues. In the first four months of 2026 alone, thirteen volunteers and staff from National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies lost their lives while carrying out humanitarian work. Nine were killed in violent attacks, while four died in accidents while on duty.

These incidents highlight the consequences when protections afforded under international humanitarian law are not respected.

International humanitarian law is clear. Humanitarian personnel, facilities and assets must be respected and protected. The emblems of the Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal are symbols of protection. Yet around the world, humanitarian personnel continue to face attacks, restrictions on humanitarian access and significant operational risks.

When humanitarian personnel are unable to operate safely, communities can lose access to essential services including food, water, healthcare and protection. Humanitarian organisations may face barriers to reaching people in need, limiting the delivery of life-saving assistance.

Protecting humanitarian personnel is a legal obligation under international humanitarian law and a practical necessity for ensuring life-saving assistance can reach people affected by conflict.

Against this backdrop, the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, launched in 2025, represents an important step forward. Spearheaded by Australia and a cross-regional group of States, it reaffirms that humanitarian personnel must be protected, humanitarian access must be enabled, and accountability is required where violations occur.

Political commitments matter. But improving safety on the ground also requires practical action.

With support from the Australian Government, Australian Red Cross is developing resources to strengthen understanding of international humanitarian law and support safer humanitarian operations in conflict-affected settings. This includes our partnership with RedR Australia, developing training programs for humanitarian actors working globally.

Importantly, this work extends beyond our organisation. By making practical guidance and training available more broadly, we can support humanitarian personnel across the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, as well as other organisations, contractors and partners delivering humanitarian assistance in challenging contexts.

This reflects a broader focus on translating humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law into practical action. Whether supporting humanitarian workers, working with businesses to better understand their responsibilities, or engaging journalists to strengthen awareness of the laws governing armed conflict, our objective is the same: to improve understanding and support the practical application of international humanitarian law.

On World Humanitarian Day, we recognise the commitment and service of humanitarian personnel around the world and remember those who have lost their lives while assisting others.

Protecting humanitarian personnel requires more than recognition. It requires continued commitment to respect and implement international humanitarian law, improving safety, reducing barriers to humanitarian access, and supporting accountability when violations occur.

By supporting those who deliver humanitarian assistance, we help ensure communities facing crisis are not left without the support they need.