Sir, – Today is World Humanitarian Day. The day was designated by the UN General Assembly in memory of the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad and recognises the contribution of humanitarian workers and the dangers they regularly face.
Many readers will have seen the recent very disturbing coverage on the BBC and Channel 4 of the conflict in Aleppo, Syria, and in particular the constant assault on civilian hospitals and health facilities. The doctors, nurses and other staff, the vast majority of whom are Syrian, continue to provide care for injured and traumatised people in these facilities, under daily threat to their lives, and are those we need to remember on World Humanitarian Day.
The bravery and courage of humanitarian workers in South Sudan must also be commended in light of the recent escalation in violence and attacks.
While acknowledging the contribution of many Irish humanitarian workers who also often work in difficult and dangerous situations, we should recognise the work of local humanitarian workers responding to natural disasters and conflict in their own countries, often at great risk and with very limited resources.
It is also worth noting that an estimated 0.2 per cent of all humanitarian assistance is currently made available to local organisations in countries in crisis. These humanitarian workers deserve the recognition, respect, support and protection of the international community. – Yours, etc,
ÉAMONN MEEHAN,
Executive Director,
Trócaire,
Maynooth,
Co Kildare.