As Nigeria joins the global community to mark World Humanitarian Day (WHD) on Monday, August 19, 2024, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has strongly advocated for the safety and protection of humanitarian actors and frontline workers.
The day, designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008, commemorates the 2003 bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, and serves as a moment to honor humanitarian workers worldwide, particularly those who have been injured or killed in the line of duty.
This year’s WHD theme, #ActForHumanity, emphasizes the urgent need for collective action to protect humanitarian workers who are increasingly targeted while delivering critical aid to vulnerable populations. The global goal of this year’s celebration is to amplify advocacy efforts against the normalization of these attacks, which contribute to civilian suffering and impunity in violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and other international conventions.
In a statement, NEMA’s Director-General, Zubaida Umar, urged world leaders to join the call to Act For Humanity by mobilizing efforts to ensure the protection of humanitarian workers and civilians. Umar emphasized the importance of public pressure in demanding accountability for violations of IHL and other international norms, particularly at a time when attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers are occurring at unprecedented levels.
The Director-General expressed deep appreciation for NEMA staff and all humanitarian workers in Nigeria who continue to risk their lives to provide lifesaving assistance to disaster-affected communities. She paid special tribute to those who have lost their lives or suffered injuries, especially those who have faced dangers from Non-State Armed Groups (NSAGs) while on duty.
NEMA also used the occasion to call on the government, corporate organizations, and citizens to voice their condemnation of attacks on humanitarian workers, civilians, and civilian infrastructure. The agency stressed the need to end the violations and impunity associated with these attacks and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
The statement concluded with a call to action, urging everyone to participate in the #ActForHumanity campaign by respecting IHL, which seeks to protect humanitarian workers, civilians, and critical infrastructure worldwide.
