139 AID WORKERS KILLED IN 2017 -UNITED NATIONS
Similarly, in 2017, of the 42,972 people reportedly killed or injured by explosive weapons, three out of every four victims were civilians – a 38 per cent increase on 2017.
“It is unconscionable that civilians and the aid workers who are trying to help them are killed and maimed in conflict zones with utter impunity.We need this to end. It is imperative that we hold men with guns and power accountable when civilians and aid workers are illegally targeted” Lowcock said,.
He added, “It is imperative that we hold men with guns and power accountable when civilians and aid workers are illegally targeted,”.
Penpushing reports that on August 19, every year, the world pays tribute to the humanitarians who deliver aid to vulnerable communities in some of the most dangerous crises on the planet; some of whom make the ultimate sacrifice.
In the same vein,the 2018 World Humanitarian Day marks the 15th Anniversary of the bombing of the United Nations(UN) Headquarters in Baghdad, which claimed the lives of 22 staff and other civilians.
Penpushing also recalled that, the August 2011 bombing of the United Nations(UN) building in Abuja by the Boko Haram terrorists, also killed at least 21 and wounded 60.
The Secretary-General of United Nations (UN), António Guterres noted in his Protection of Civilians report published in May, that attacks in just six conflict-affected countries were responsible for more than 26,000 civilian deaths or injuries, stressing that to reverse such high numbers of civilian casualties, required sustained advocacy.
