Press Release: EU concerned over increasing risks to humanitarian workers on first World Humanitarian Day

World Humanitarian Day was commemorated for the first time on 19 August, 2009, with at least 69 humanitarian aid workers killed so far this year. The day aims to honour humanitarian workers who have lost their lives or been injured in the course of their work. The European Commission, through its Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), has staff permanently present in crisis spots around the world. ECHO works closely with partner relief organisations like specialised UN agencies, the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement and non-governmental organisations. Together they ensure the delivery of relief to civilian populations throughout the world in an impartial and non-discriminatory way. But humanitarian access and the security of relief workers is increasingly at risk.