Frequently Asked Questions

The Declaration is a commitment at the highest political level to protect humanitarian personnel and uphold compliance with international law. It sets out practical and actionable steps that countries can take to protect aid workers in conflict zones. 

It has never been more dangerous to be an aid worker. Despite the crucial role they play in providing life-saving assistance, attacks on humanitarian personnel are rising.  

2024 was the deadliest year on record for humanitarian personnel. According to the Aid Worker Security Database, more than 380 aid workers were killed worldwide in 2024. 2025 is on track to be worse.

Aid workers are not merely numbers. Each represents a life dedicated to others, delivering food to families, providing medical care in conflict zones, and offering protection to those when they are at their most vulnerable. 

Protecting aid workers means protecting civilians. When humanitarians cannot operate safely in one place, their work is compromised everywhere. 

The global pact delivers real protection for humanitarians risking their lives to protect others, at a time when they are facing unprecedented threats to their lives and safety. 

There are existing comprehensive legal frameworks to protect civilians and humanitarian personnel in armed conflict. The Declaration builds on and reinforces UN Security Council Resolution 2730 on the Protection of civilians in armed conflict (May 2024). 

Previous efforts to drive change will be bolstered through the Declaration’s emphasis on practical, actionable steps. The Declaration connects principles to action to make a practical difference.

The Declaration also provides a framework to support complementary initiatives, like the International Red Cross and Red Crescent’s Global Initiative to Galvanise Political Commitment to International Humanitarian Law. 

The Declaration is open to all countries to endorse.

Humanitarian organisations and regional groups can be associated with the Declaration. 

To endorse the Declaration, countries should send a Third Person Note (TPN) / Note Verbale to the Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations in Geneva at [email protected]. 

The Declaration is not legally binding. It does not impose financial obligations on signatories. Existing international humanitarian law is comprehensive; the challenge the Declaration aims to address is decreasing adherence to and respect for existing international humanitarian law. 

The Declaration sets out practical actions countries can take to demonstrate commitment to protecting humanitarian personnel.

The Group of Friends for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel has been established in Geneva to promote the implementation of the Declaration.

The Group of Friends serves as a critical platform to contribute to practical and tangible policies and practices that support the Declaration’s aims. It also offers a forum to exchange good practices and connect with humanitarian organisations.

The Group of Friends, hosted by IFRC, is open to all signatories of the Declaration.

Countries who are signatories of the Declaration who wish to join the Group of Friends should email the Secretariat at [email protected] 

The support of humanitarian organisations to encourage endorsement is critical to ensuring the Declaration leads to tangible, lasting change. We welcome public statements from humanitarian organisations in support of the Declaration, as well as advocacy for endorsement of the Declaration with your networks and in your engagements with countries. 

The Group of Friends provides a platform for humanitarian organisations to engage with Declaration signatories.