Lebanon: Humanitarians are not a target

On this World Humanitarian Day, the Première Urgence Internationale team in Lebanon stands in solidarity with all civilian populations affected by the conflict. This includes all the men, women and children, as well as our colleagues from UN agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent, and NGO workers who have been injured or lost their lives.

This year, Première Urgence Internationale and the entire humanitarian community also call on all UN member states and non-state actors to immediately cease all attacks on civilians, including humanitarians, and all violations of international humanitarian law. Having celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, we cannot accept a reversal of the rules of warfare they established.

We are distressed by the trivialization of attacks on civilian populations and the disregard for human life. This trend is particularly obvious to us. Firstly, by the appalling scale of civilian deaths and destruction in Gaza. Secondly, by the growing number of our colleagues who have been killed alongside the communities they serve. 2023 was the deadliest year on record for aid workers worldwide, and 2024 is set to be even worse.

In Lebanon, the constant bombardments since October 8 have had many consequences. At least 130 civilians have been killed, including 21 relief workers, and over 110,000 people have been displaced by the constant bombardment since October 8. On the southern border, health centers have been damaged or forced to close as a result of the bombardments, depriving thousands of people of access to vital care. We are shocked by these attacks and reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire.

Première Urgence Internationale’s Lebanon mission team for World Humanitarian Day 2024

While Première Urgence Internationale is doing its utmost to meet the needs of people affected by conflict, we are concerned about the growing threats we face in the course of our work. The targeting of humanitarians and humanitarian infrastructure is particularly blatant. Humanitarians working in the service of war-affected communities, and as such protected by international humanitarian law, are not a target. All armed actors must respect international humanitarian law, immediately cease all attacks on civilians, including humanitarians, and those responsible for violations must be held accountable.

Today, we hope that leaders will realize that they have failed in their duty to protect humanitarian workers and the communities they serve, and act for the sake of humanity.