World Humanitarian Day, observed on August 19th, serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by aid workers globally. On August 20, Daniel Endres, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan, highlighted the alarming rise in violence against aid workers in the country.
In the past two years, 38 aid workers have lost their lives while delivering essential assistance to the Afghan population, Sputnik Afghanistan reported. The majority of these casualties were comprised of sappers and medical workers engaged in vaccination campaigns.
The victims of these attacks predominantly include sappers and medical workers involved in crucial activities such as demining and vaccination campaigns. Sappers play a vital role in identifying and removing explosive remnants of war, contributing to the safety and security of local communities. Medical workers, on the other hand, are crucial in delivering life-saving vaccinations to vulnerable populations, especially in regions with limited access to healthcare services.
Despite the perilous environment, humanitarian workers in Afghanistan have managed to achieve commendable results. In 2022 alone, an estimated 26 mn Afghans received vital humanitarian aid. This aid was delivered across 401 districts within the provinces, highlighting the dedication and perseverance of aid workers working in the face of adversity.
World Humanitarian Day holds additional significance for the global community due to a tragic event that occurred on the same day in 2003. An explosion at the UN Headquarters in Baghdad claimed the lives of 22 people, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Iraq.
Earlier Daryo mentioned that on August 18, a productive discussion took place between Ismatulla Irgashev, the Special Representative of the President of Uzbekistan for Afghanistan, and Miroslav Jenča, the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations. The talks centred on bilateral collaboration, emphasising regional security and the evolving Afghan scenario.
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