Geneva.– The UN remembers humanitarian workers killed in the line of duty with a ceremony held this Wednesday at its European headquarters in Geneva, on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day and 23 years after the attack on the United Nations complex in Baghdad, Iraq.
The event paid tribute to the 22 people who lost their lives in the bombing attack carried out on August 19, 2003, against the international organization’s facilities in the Iraqi capital. The date subsequently became a day to recognize those who carry out aid work in areas affected by war, displacement, and other crises.
As part of the commemoration, United Nations flags were flown at half-mast at the Geneva and New York headquarters, as well as at other offices of the organization around the world, in memory of the workers who died while carrying out humanitarian work.
In Geneva, UN officials, diplomatic representatives, and family members of the victims participated in a ceremony next to the remains of a United Nations flag recovered from the rubble of the Baghdad bombing. Attendees lit candles and laid flowers before the plaques containing the names of the deceased.
Among those who died in the 2003 attack was the Brazilian Sergio Vieira de Mello, who at that time held the position of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and also served as the UN Special Representative for Iraq.
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During the ceremony, Vieira de Mello’s career and the work he carried out throughout his life in various conflict zones were remembered. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the Iraqi Barham Salih, noted that he had planned to meet with him a few days after the attack, a meeting that never took place.
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Salih also warned that the risks faced by United Nations members in Iraq more than two decades ago remain present for those providing humanitarian assistance in different countries. He indicated that members of these organizations continue to be the target of attacks, detentions, restrictions on performing their duties, and killings.
In that context, the UN remembers humanitarian workers killed while the figures of victims among this personnel have increased during the last years.
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The Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, Tatiana Valovaya, reported that more than 1,010 humanitarian workers were killed over the last three years. The figure represents nearly three times the number recorded in the previous three-year period.
Valovaya identified Gaza and the West Bank, Sudan, South Sudan, Ukraine, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo among the territories where humanitarian personnel face the greatest risks and where, at the same time, there is a demand for assistance from the affected populations.
The official maintained that the work of these workers requires protective measures, in addition to recognition for the services they provide in conflict and emergency scenarios.
The data for last year also show the impact of violence against members of the United Nations and other organizations dedicated to assistance work. During that period, 350 humanitarian workers were killed, while another 322 were injured and 235 were kidnapped.
The commemoration of World Humanitarian Day maintains the 2003 Baghdad bombing as a reference and seeks to remember both its 22 victims and the people who have died subsequently while providing aid in different parts of the world.
With the events held this August 19, the UN remembers murdered humanitarian workers and refocuses attention on the security conditions faced by personnel responsible for bringing assistance to communities affected by conflicts and humanitarian crises.
