Caritas Australia has welcomed the Australian Government’s move to take a leading role internationally in protecting aid workers.
At the United Nations Summit of the Future in New York on Monday, the Albanese Government announced it will take a leading role in the development of a new “Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel”.
A statement from Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong acknowledged 2024 is shaping up to be the most dangerous year on record, despite the establishment of the Geneva Conventions 75 years ago, which are supposed to limit human suffering in fields of conflict.
Kirsten Sayers, Interim CEO at Caritas Australia, applauded the Government for taking a stand to protect aid workers.
“It is incredibly rewarding to see the Government working hand in hand with Australian NGOs by taking on board our sector-wide stance around World Humanitarian Day back in August and channelling that into global action.
“This is an important moment in Australia’s diplomatic history, where as a country we are taking a stance on what is right and fair by working to protect the innocent – a stance that is fundamentally aligned with Australian culture.”
Senator Wong’s statement acknowledged the role of the humanitarian sector and the developing world in helping the Australian Government establish existing and new approaches to global challenges.
Beyond convening ministers and humanitarian leaders to begin working on new protections for humanitarians, it also looked at approaches to climate and development challenges in the Asia Pacific region.
To support Caritas Australia’s humanitarian efforts, visit www.caritas.org.au/emergency and to support climate vulnerable communities visit www.caritas.org.au/climatecrisis.
FULL STORY
Caritas Australia welcomes the Australian Government taking a leading role in protecting aid workers (Caritas Australia)
