19 August 2024
In 2024, the world is witnessing unprecedented challenges. The year is shaping up to be the deadliest on record for humanitarians, with attacks on those who dedicate their lives to helping others reaching alarming levels. Amidst these challenges, UN Security is striving to embody the spirit of this year's World Humanitarian Day theme: "Act for Humanity," by playing a crucial role in supporting humanitarian efforts in difficult times. UN Security's mission is not merely to protect; it is to enable and create the conditions necessary for humanitarian efforts to be deployed even in the most dangerous and volatile environments.
Acting for humanity is about ensuring that these critical programs reach those who need them most. ¡°No matter where or when we need to find ways to reach people in need without compromising UN principles and values,¡± said USG Michaud when asked about his definition of ¡®Act for Humanity¡¯. In managing security risks, the UN¡¯s security professionals are doing their part to act for humanity, safeguarding not just lives, but the principles of dignity, compassion and human rights that the United Nations stands for.
The challenges of 2024 remind us that enabling humanitarian action is more critical than ever. As attacks on humanitarians increase, the role of UN Security becomes even more vital. This dedication ensures that aid can be delivered, lives can be saved, and hope can prevail¡ªeven in the darkest of times, where the normalization of violence and impunity threatens to undermine the very fabric of humanitarian work.
World Humanitarian Day marks the sad anniversary of the Canal Hotel where 23 UN colleagues died for what they stand for: peace and security. They all were acting for humanity and paid the ultimate price. Today, the UN Security family -over 50 UN entities working together to enable UN programmes, reaffirms their strongest commitment to a world where every person, regardless of circumstance, can receive the help they need. For UN security professionals, the strongest act of humanity is to find solutions to secure the lives of those who help the most vulnerable.