Protecting Those Who Protect: A Joint NGO Statement for Humanitarian Workers' Safety
We must protect those who protect. In 2025, at least 1,187 humanitarian workers were affected by major security incidents, 350 were killed. Humanitarian workers save lives, relieve suffering and defend human dignity every day. But who is protecting them?
Ahead of the International Conference on the Protection of Aid Workers, co-hosted by the European Commission and the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) on 15 – 16 October, VOICE and 67 NGOs and networks call on the EU and its Member States to seize this pivotal moment to turn commitments into action.
Two years after the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2730 and one year after the launch of the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, signed by all EU Member States, the protection of humanitarian workers remains an urgent priority. More recently, the EU's Joint Communication on humanitarian aid has placed the protection of humanitarian workers at the heart of the EU's humanitarian policy. The scale of the challenge is stark. According to the 2026 Aid Worker Security Report, in 2025, at least 1,187 humanitarian workers were victims of major security incidents, including 350 killed – the secondhighest toll ever recorded. National staff bear the brunt of these attacks, representing in 2025, 96% of those affected. The Conference must serve as a catalyst for concrete steps to stop and reverse this trend.
VOICE and 67 NGOs and networks urge the EU and its Member States to:
- Ensure accountability for violations of International Humanitarian Law and address the politicisation of humanitarian action by:
- Defending humanitarian principles
- Upholding IHL, fighting impunity and strengthening humanitarian diplomacy
- Countering harmful information
- Enable a funding and partnership environment that protects humanitarian workers by:
- Addressing risk transfers and supporting humanitarian actors to improve Security Risk Management
- Investing in Duty of Care and inclusive data systems
The cost of inaction is measured in lives. The EU and its Member States must act to protect those who protect millions.
Read our joint statement and discover our recommendations: https://bit.ly/4yHTAcX
List of Signatories:
ACT Alliance EU
Act Church of Sweden
Action Contre la Faim
ADRA Europe
ADRA Germany
ADRA Sweden
Association of German Development and Humanitarian Aid NGOs (VENRO)
Ayuda en Acción
CARE International
Caritas Europa
Caritas International Belgium
Caritas MONA
CESVI
Christian Aid Ireland
Concern Worldwide
COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale
Coordination SUD
Cordaid
Croatian Youth Network
CROSOL – Croatian Platform for International Citizen Solidarity
DanChurchAid (DCA)
Danish Refugee Council
Dóchas - The Irish Association of Non-Governmental Development Organisations
Documenta – Center for Dealing with the Past, Croatia
Diakonia
EDUCO
Forum for Freedom in Education Croatia
German Doctors e.V.
GOAL Global
Handicap International - Humanity & Inclusion
Health and Educational Services Organization for Afghanistan (HESOA)
HealthNet TPO
HelpAge Deutschland e.V.
HIAS Europe
ICVA
International Medical Corps
International Rescue Committee
INTERSOS Humanitarian Organization
IHL Center
Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e.V.
JRS
LM International
Médecins du Monde International Network
NEAR
Netherlands Refugee Foundation
Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
Organization of Human Welfare (OHW)
Oxfam
People in Need (PIN)
Plan International
PMU
Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH)
Portuguese Platform of Development NGOs
POWECD / Iraq Local Space
Première Urgence Internationale
Prosper Global
Refugee-Led Organisation Network (RELON) of Uganda
Relief International
Save the Children
Secours Islamique France (SIF)
Solidarités International
SOS Children's Villages International
Trócaire
Union Aid (UA)
VOICE
WeWorld
Welthungerhilfe
World Vision International
