Caritas Internationalis is calling on those with the power to end violence worldwide to do so, and recognise the intrinsic dignity and value of every human life.
In a statement for the global observance of World Humanitarian Day on August 19th, the humanitarian action arm of the Catholic Church around the world expressed this, reaffirming its commitment “to amplify the voices of religious leaders and people of faith appalled by the atrocities perpetrated in Gaza, Sudan, South Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar and other conflict zones.”
On this date in 2003, a bomb attack on Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killed 22 humanitarian aid workers, including the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the country. Five years later, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution designating August 19th as World Humanitarian Day.
A common plea
For the occasion, Caritas Internationalis said it joins humanitarian agencies around the world in commemorating “those who have lost their lives in delivering life-saving aid amid humanitarian crises” and in calling “on governments to tackle the impunity for attacks on civilians and humanitarian aid workers.”
Present in over 162 countries and territories, Caritas has extensive experience of the risks faced by frontline emergency responders in conflict zones.
In many countries where all other agencies have withdrawn, the local Church is always present, providing aid and protection.
Unprecedented dangers for aid workers
With firsthand experience, Caritas Internationalis is decrying that aid workers are facing unprecedented dangers.
In 2024 alone, more than 380 aid workers were killed in 20 countries while carrying out their vital missions.
The trend, Carita laments, shows no signs of abating, and rather warns that 2025 promises to be even worse, with reports indicating that 128 people across 17 countries were killed in the first five months of the year.
Remembering the fallen
On this Day, Caritas Internationalis also recalled lives of colleagues killed in recent years, naming Viola Al Amash and Issam Abedrabbo of Caritas Jerusalem and other Caritas colleagues who died in Mariupol, Ukraine, and Niger.
Finally, Caritas’ statement concludes by reaffirming that today is a day “to remember,” “mourn” and “pray,” “but above all,” Caritas insists, “we demand – clearly and without hesitation – the protection of those who commit their lives to serving others. Their memory compels us not only to honour them, but to act.”
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