Pakistan terms attacks on aid workers as attack on humanity

Mumtaz Hussain

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan’s new Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad on Wednesday said the international community has failed to protect those who are risking their lives to serve others.

Ambassador Asim represented Pakistan at the UN Security Council briefing on the issue of civilian deaths in armed conflicts.

In the briefing, Pakistan described the attacks on humanitarian aid workers as an attack on the basic principles of humanity.

He said those who deliver food to war-torn areas, provide life-saving medical assistance and try to restore the self-esteem of displaced people are facing bullets and threats instead of gratitude.

He said 379 aid workers were killed in 2024, the deadliest year ever recorded.

The UN situation is serious in many regions of the world, but nowhere is the crisis more serious than in Gaza, where 399 aid workers, including 284 from the UN Relief and Works Agency, were killed since October 2023.

He strongly condemned the killing of 15 aid workers by Israel in recent days.

“The high number of fatalities is a somber reminder that much more needs to be done to fully implement this resolution. The promise of protection must be backed by action,” he asserted.

He presented key recommendations to the Security Council for strengthening civilian protection, including:

Reaffirming Pakistan’s strong commitment to effectively implementing Resolution 2730 and safeguarding the safety, dignity, and neutrality of humanitarian and UN personnel, Ambassador Asim reiterated Pakistan’s support for the Secretary-General’s initiatives to enhance their security. He assured that Pakistan stands ready to collaborate with all stakeholders to operationalize these recommendations.