Humanitarian workers must be able to pursue their work in safety and security - State Department

The United States is urging all parties of armed conflicts around the world to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian personnel globally, a top State Department official on population, refugees and migration, told reporters on Wednesday.

"Today we repeat our longstanding call on all parties to armed conflict to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and work to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian workers," Carol Thompson O'Connell, acting assistant secretary of State, said during a conference call organised by the Washington Foreign Press Center.

Speaking on occasion of World Humanitarian Day, which was created in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on the U.N. compound in Baghdad in 2003, O'Connell said the U.S. "recognizes the tireless commitment of all humanitarian workers who put the lives of others before their own, who persist in their life-saving work despite growing risks to their own health and safety."

2019 was the most violent year on record with at least 483 aid workers that were killed, injured, or kidnapped, according to Trey Hicks, assistant to the Administrator of USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.

O'Connell also reminded that the humanitarian needs are immense and have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unfortunately, attacks on humanitarian workers are increasing "even amidst a global pandemic," she added.

The U.S, she said, "has a longstanding tradition of leadership in international humanitarian crisis response both in our diplomatic efforts – endeavors and in terms of our assistance."

Asked how the pandemic is changing the humanitarian landscape as well as delivery in the conflict zones, O'Connell told TURAN's Washington's correspondent that, delivering humanitarian assistance under any circumstances in conflict zones is "tremendously complicated and very dangerous."  "But we are continuing to work through our international partners to make sure that the people in need are actually getting the basic necessities, life-sustaining provisions, as well as food, water, shelter, et cetera."

Along with providing additional humanitarian assistance, the U.S. is "certainly looking at raising communications on the disease, how to prevent its spread, try to support isolation and treatment centers, support for health and hygiene programs, trying to get hygiene kits to folks to make sure that they're able to – and clean water to wash hands and things like that, to the best we can," she explained.

When asked about the health and safety of those in prisons and camps during the pandemic, the assistant secretary said that they are "looking at supporting vital health infrastructure – safe drinking water, hygiene practices – and trying to prevent the spread of disease in places of detention."

"We're working with the International Committee for the Red Cross, and in many places the Red Crescent Movement as well, trying to support them to be able to provide local responses and basically create a supply line that allows them to sustain activities that build resilience among the people and also as part of their communities."

As for Washington's calls on Azerbaijan and other countries to release political prisoners due to humanitarian reasons -- something that Baku officials refuse to follow -- O'Connell said in response to TURAN's questions that their messaging has been "consistent and strong".

"And we look to our political leaders to focus on that aspect of it because while we're pushing for – always looking for humanitarian concerns to be at the forefront in conflict situations," she concluded. "For today we're going to stick with our humanitarian assistance delivery and support for humanitarian workers."

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.