15 Humanitarian Workers Victims of Attacks in Syria During 2021
A joint statement was issued by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, and Commissioner “Janez Lenarcic”, yesterday, Wednesday, in which they condemned attacks against humanitarian workers around the world, on the World Humanitarian Day 2021.
“The commitment and selfless efforts of humanitarian and medical workers who strive every day, often in dire conditions, to alleviate the suffering of millions in need, has been even more important since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic,” the statement said.
The statement noted that: “The spread of the virus is not the worst threat they face, as 108 humanitarian workers lost their lives and 125 were kidnapped in 2020, and in 2021 there were 105 major attacks against humanitarian workers sofar.
According to the database of the “Relief Workers’ Security” website, which records incidents of violence against humanitarian workers, 15 humanitarian workers were killed in Syria in 2021, during 116 attacks, while 15 others were injured.276 attacks in Syria in 2020 killed 24 humanitarian workers and wounded 75 others, according to the database that documented the kidnapping of four other workers.
The statement called on all parties in all conflicts around the world to respect international humanitarian law and refrain from targeting humanitarian workers and civilians, including civilian infrastructure, and stressed the importance of full respect and adherence to internationally recognized humanitarian principles
It is noteworthy that World Humanitarian Day coincides with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, in which 22 humanitarian workers were killed.
