Press Release: On World Humanitarian Day the European Commission calls for respect for humanitarian principles

On World Humanitarian Day on 19 August, the European Commission honours humanitarian workers who have lost their lives or freedom, or have been injured during 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 such as 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.

European Commission: Memo/10/379: Security of Humanitarian aid workers: A concern at the heart of the EU’s humanitarian action http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/10/379&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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