A new international declaration is a global commitment to better protect aid workers so they can deliver lifesaving support safely in conflict zones.
On the eve of the UN General Assembly, governments, aid organisations, and philanthropies came together to back a new international declaration aimed at protecting humanitarian workers.
The Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel aims to make aid workers safer and more respected under international law, especially local and national staff, who often face the greatest danger.
The declaration responds to a devastating reality:
2024 was the deadliest year on record for aid workers, with over 380 killed while carrying out their work.
Among them was Australian Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom, who lost her life in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza.
The idea behind the declaration is straightforward: people who deliver food, medicine, and lifesaving support in conflict zones should not themselves be targeted, obstructed, or put at unnecessary risk.
While international law already offers protections, those laws are often ignored.
The declaration seeks to rally political commitment so governments and armed groups are held to account, and to make it harder for violations to be brushed aside.
The Australian government has played a leading role in bringing the declaration forward, spearheading the initiative to get the international community to work together to strengthen respect for international humanitarian law and preserve human dignity in armed conflict.
Minderoo Foundation pledged US$1 million (A$1.52 million) to help turn the declaration into practical measures that keep aid workers safe. This initial funding is intended to kick-start a broader effort among signatories to invest in frontline protection.
“These are the brave heroes who risk everything in service of humanity,” Dr Andrew Forrest AO said.
The declaration reaffirms that under international law, aid workers must not be attacked, obstructed, or criminalised. It calls on governments and armed groups alike to uphold these obligations and commits signatories to practical steps – like cutting red tape around visas and customs, ensuring sanctions don’t block humanitarian access, and investigating attacks when they occur.
It also recognises that local and national staff, women, and volunteers often face the highest risks, yet receive the least protection. By highlighting these gaps, the declaration aims to make accountability stronger and humanitarian access faster and safer.