Protecting the Protectors – Centering the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel through the Reset.
Civilians affected by conflicts and crises cannot be protected effectively when those providing assistance are themselves under threat. Violence against humanitarian personnel — predominantly local humanitarians serving their own communities — has risen sharply amid declining respect for international humanitarian law (IHL). This event proposes concrete actions to strengthen the protection of humanitarian personnel, with particular attention to local staff. It will center on the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel (Declaration) as a practical framework which complements and reinforces existing efforts to promote respect for IHL, including UN Security Council Resolution 2730. Discussion will focus on how Member States can translate commitments into action by strengthening accountability, supporting system-wide reforms, and ensuring the conditions to enable humanitarian personnel to operate safely and effectively in high-risk and complex environments. Discussions wil...