Today, Canada officially endorsed the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, an initiative spearheaded by Australia.
Humanitarian workers are increasingly the targets of violence and attacks during armed conflicts, not only endangering their lives but also impacting the delivery of life-saving assistance to people in need. In 2024, 383 humanitarian workers were killed in 27 countries - the highest number ever recorded. These are not just numbers - real people are risking their lives to help others in the world's most volatile and unforgiving places.
As a global community, we need to strengthen our commitment to protecting humanitarian workers who are the backbone of humanitarian action. Their safety is key to delivering life-saving assistance, upholding international law, and protecting human dignity during crises.
In line with the declaration, Canada will continue to work toward strengthening respect for international humanitarian law (IHL); condemn violations of it; support robust protection and coordination mechanisms; and commit to greater accountability and justice.
Additionally, in line with the declaration's commitments, Canada will contribute $400,000 in funding over two years to support the Aid Worker Security Database (AWSD), which is operated by Humanitarian Outcomes. The AWSD plays a vital role in tracking and analyzing major incidents of violence against humanitarian workers around the world and in promoting their safety.
Protecting humanitarian workers must remain a global priority. Canada remains committed to respecting IHL and views this declaration as a way to encourage states to abide by the protections already provided under IHL for humanitarian personnel worldwide.
