Credit: United Nations
On August 19, the UN commemorated World Humanitarian Day — a time to honor those who step into crises to help others, and to stand with the millions of people whose lives hang in the balance. This year the message is clear: the humanitarian system is stretched to its limits; underfunded, overwhelmed and under attack.
“Where bombs fall and disasters strike, humanitarian workers are the ones holding the line keeping people alive, often at great personal risk. But more and more those who help are becoming targets themselves. In 2024 alone over 380 humanitarian workers were killed. Some in the line of duty, others in their homes. Hundreds more have been injured, kidnapped or detained, and there is reason to fear 2025 could be worse,” warns the UN.
By Nathalie Meynet
GENEVA, Aug 19 2025 – On this World Humanitarian Day, the members of CCISUA Staff Federation honour colleagues who dedicate their lives to protecting people in crisis, and we remember with sorrow the many who have fallen in the line of duty.
This year’s theme, “Act For Humanity” is a call to leaders and to the public to confront the normalization of attacks on civilians, including humanitarians, and the impunity that undermines International Humanitarian Law. It is a call to build public support that pressures parties to conflict and world leaders to act to protect civilians and humanitarian workers.
We pay special tribute to our Palestinian colleagues in Gaza, where more than 300 UN staff have been killed since October 2023, the highest toll in UN history. They continue to serve under unimaginable conditions, often while enduring the same loss, hunger, and insecurity as the communities they assist.
At the same time, the humanitarian space itself is under grave threat. Severe funding cuts are forcing agencies to scale back life-saving programmes and reduce their workforce. Structural reforms and discussions of mergers raise additional fears that humanitarian action may lose its independence, becoming subordinated to political or migration-management agendas. For staff on the ground, this translates into uncertainty, heavier risks, and the erosion of trust.
As the federation representing thousands of UN staff worldwide, including many humanitarians, CCISUA calls for stronger protection of humanitarian workers, accountability for attacks, adequate funding for principled action, and genuine consultation on reforms that affect the future of humanitarian response.
The future of humanitarian action is at stake. To protect it, we must Act For Humanity!
Nathalie Meynet is President CCISUA.
The Coordinating Committee for International Staff Unions and Associations of the United Nations System (CCISUA) is the umbrella federation for over 60,000 staff, comprised of UN common system staff unions and associations committed to an atmosphere of constructive cooperation in order to provide equitable and effective representation of staff at all levels. CCISUA primarily represents member interests in inter-agency bodies that make decisions and recommendations on conditions of service.
https://www.ccisua.org/about-us/
IPS UN Bureau
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