Humanitarianism is not collapsing. It is being traded and compromised | Humanitarian Crises
World Humanitarian Day: A Call for Accountability in Humanitarian Efforts
Today, as the world observes World Humanitarian Day, there is an urgent need to examine the current state of humanitarianism. Historically, humanitarian efforts have been guided by a collective understanding that certain boundaries should remain intact, even during armed conflicts.
For decades, international agreements established the protection of vulnerable populations, including children in need of food and medical assistance, as fundamental legal rights. However, that consensus appears to be eroding, as many governments increasingly fail to uphold the rules-based order they once championed. Some countries openly disregard international law when it suits their interests, while others selectively enforce these laws, condemning violations by adversaries while ignoring similar actions by allies. Additionally, many governments remain silent when stronger action is needed.
When geopolitical and domestic interests take precedence over legal obligations, the humanitarian framework suffers. Enforcement becomes sporadic, and excessive civilian casualties are often overlooked, leading to a disturbing normalization of violence. As a result, impunity is allowed to thrive, empowering those who violate laws designed to protect civilians.
The implications of these lapses are significant, as humanitarian crises do not arise in isolation; they are often the direct result of political decisions. In this environment, the protection of civilians and aid workers is increasingly viewed as a negotiable commodity, rather than a universal obligation. Humanitarian protection becomes an investment, seeking political returns rather than prioritizing human lives.
The consequences of this shift are stark. In the past three years, at least 1,000 aid workers have been killed—nearly three times the number from the previous three years. According to United Nations data from 2025, there were hundreds of attacks on humanitarian efforts, resulting in 350 aid workers killed, 322 injured, and 235 kidnapped.
Oxfam, an international humanitarian organization, reported losing five colleagues and partners over eight years, with more than 1,300 employees involved in at least 1,200 security incidents. Such killings frequently occur in areas where combatants are supported by governments that simultaneously fund humanitarian responses.
In addition to physical danger, aid operations face challenges from excessive state-imposed restrictions. In December, Israeli authorities mandated that Oxfam and 36 other international organizations provide detailed personal information about staff members to continue humanitarian operations in Gaza and the West Bank. All organizations refused these demands, resulting in their deregistration.
Although Oxfam maintains legal entitlement to operate under its registration with the Palestinian Authority, the restrictions have impeded its ability to deliver aid, as reliance on locally sourced goods has led to increased costs due to shortages.
Compounding these difficulties is the decline in funding for humanitarian efforts. This year, G7 countries implemented historic cuts to development assistance, reducing aid by nearly one-third compared to 2024, despite escalating humanitarian needs in regions facing crises, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan.
These funding reductions, along with vetoes of UN Security Council actions and disregard for binding international court rulings, illustrate the political choices that undermine humanitarian efforts. The principles of international humanitarian law are clear: civilians must be protected, relief must be facilitated, and starvation cannot be weaponized. Attacks on aid workers, hospitals, and schools must never be tolerated.
Each attack on a humanitarian worker should prompt an independent investigation, and proven crimes must be prosecuted. UN Security Council Resolution 2730, passed two years ago, called for exactly this kind of accountability.
The selection of the next UN secretary-general serves as a critical opportunity to affirm our commitment to these principles. Genuine accountability for those who violate international law is essential to restoring respect for humanitarian norms.
World Humanitarian Day serves as a reminder of those aid workers who have lost their lives while serving others. However, memorializing their sacrifice without holding violators accountable amounts to a troubling acceptance of injustice. As a global community, we must strive for better: #protectaidworkers.
