Algeria 
Bahrain 
Egypt 
Iran 
Iraq 
Israel 
Jordan 
Kuwait 
Lebanon 
Libya 
Morocco 
Oman 
Palestine * 
Qatar 
Saudi Arabia 
Syria 
Tunisia 
United Arab Emirates 
Yemen Statement by Commissioner Lahbib on the 2025 World Humanitarian Day
Ahead of this year’s World Humanitarian Day, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, issued the following statement:
“The EU is one of the world’s largest humanitarian aid donors, working to save millions of lives in crisis situations globally. Yet at a time when humanitarian needs are reaching new heights, respect for International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is under threat. Targeted attacks on civilians and aid workers, along with the attacks against hospitals, schools, and other civilian targets are surging, while access to lifesaving aid is increasingly denied. Yet the “rules of war” established by the Geneva Conventions in 1949 remain unchanged: violating IHL is a crime.
Never has delivering humanitarian aid been so dangerous – 2024 was the deadliest year on record for aid workers with 383 killed, 308 wounded and 125 kidnapped. With 265 aid workers killed in 2025, we risk surpassing last year’s tragic record. With blatant violations of International Humanitarian Law occurring openly, we must confront the harsh reality of widespread impunity where perpetrators go unpunished. Without accountability for the killing of aid workers, more will die.
There are concrete steps we can take to support those risking their lives to deliver food, water, and medical care to people in need.
As humanitarian crises become increasingly protracted, our attention must stretch beyond the most visible emergencies.The man-made humanitarian crises in Sudan, Gaza, and Ukraine have rightfully commanded global outrage. Yet countless other crises unfold beyond the spotlight.”
Countries covered:
-
Algeria
-
Bahrain
-
Egypt
-
Iran
-
Iraq
-
Israel
-
Jordan
-
Kuwait
-
Lebanon
-
Libya
-
Morocco
-
Oman
-
Palestine *
-
Qatar
-
Saudi Arabia
-
Syria
-
Tunisia
-
United Arab Emirates
-
Yemen
Latest News
