For this reason, we share the statement from the Coordinator of Development Cooperation Organizations, of which Juan Ciudad NGO is a member, which states that in recent years we have not only witnessed an increase in humanitarian crises, but also an increase in attacks, persecution, and criminalization of humanitarian personnel.
STATEMENT FROM THE COORDINATOR:
This August 19th marks the International Day of Humanitarian Action, an event established by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2008. Since then, unfortunately, there has been less and less to celebrate.
In recent years, we have witnessed an increase in humanitarian crises caused by conflicts or as a result of droughts, poor harvests, floods, etc., resulting from climate change or the actions of extractive industries. Furthermore, we are experiencing a reduction in humanitarian space, through attacks on NGO facilities and personnel, or the persecution and criminalization of those engaged in this type of work, such as migrant rescue organizations.
- Some 136 million people worldwide are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection, according to 2018 projections by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. This is 51% more than in 2017.
- More than 44,500 people were forced to leave their homes every day in 2017, one person every two seconds. The number of forcibly displaced people worldwide is 68.5 million, a record that represents a 501,000-plus increase from 42.7 million ten years ago, according to data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
- In 2017, there were 158 serious violent incidents against humanitarian operations in 22 countries, according to data compiled by the humanitarian aid research team Humanitarian Outcomes. These attacks affected 313 humanitarian workers, of whom 139 were killed. This is the second highest number since 2013, when 156 were killed. Among the victims, the majority were local staff (285 nationals and 28 expatriates).
- More than 1,500 people have drowned in the Mediterranean so far in 2018, despite the number of arrivals having dropped by almost half. These are figures from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
- Between June and July, at least 851 people lost their lives in the waters of the Central Mediterranean, accounting for 801% of all deaths recorded on this route. These two months coincided with the closure of Italian ports and the European Union's decision to hand over rescue coordination to the Libyan Coast Guard.
- In Spain, in the 2018 General State Budget, Humanitarian Aid accounted for âŹ19 million. Just âŹ2 million more than the previous year. Ten years ago, the funds allocated to this item were âŹ350 million.
Faced with this situation, the Coordinator of Development Organizations wants to:
- Vindicate the work of the thousands of humanitarian organizations and workers who dedicate their efforts to alleviating the suffering of thousands of people and defending their fundamental rights.
- Remember that humanitarian aid and international cooperation organizations must never be the target of attacks by terrorist groups or opposing parties in a conflict. We are and will always be on the side of those who suffer the consequences, not those who cause them. The shrinking of humanitarian space in recent years and the inaction of the international community in this regard are deeply worrying.
- Demand that the European Union and its Member States end migration policies that are putting the lives of thousands of people at risk. Governments must comply with international human rights agreements and assume the responsibility for rescuing and receiving migrants.
- Urge the EU to end border externalization agreements with third countries, especially those where serious human rights violations are known.
- Demand that donor countries stop shirking their responsibilities regarding humanitarian assistance.
- Demand that Spain allocate at least 101% of its Official Development Assistance to Humanitarian Action, which should in turn rise to 0.41% of its Gross National Income by the end of this term.
- Emphasize the importance of public policies being consistent with Sustainable Development. State action must not only be aimed at mitigating the consequences, but above all at addressing the causes of disasters. Governments cannot continue to authorize the sale of weapons to countries at war that violate human rights by using them against civilians and humanitarian workers, or by supporting the internationalization of companies that exploit natural resources in impoverished countries. Â
Source: Coordinator of Development Cooperation Organizations.
