The Theology of Missions

V. Attacks on
Humanitarian Aid Workers
Humanitarian Aid Workers belonging to United Nations organizations, PVOs
/ NGOs or the Red Cross / Red Crescent have traditionally enjoyed both international
legal protection, and de facto immunity from attack by belligerent parties. However,
attacks on humanitarian workers have occasionally occurred, and became more
frequent since the 1990s and 2000s. In 2012 there were 167 incidents of major violence
against aid workers and in 2013 there were 474 attacks. This is attributed to a number
of factors, including the increasing number of humanitarian workers deployed, the
increasingly unstable environments in which they work, and the erosion of the
perception of neutrality and independence. In 2012, road travel was seen to be most
dangerous and kidnappings of aid workers have quadrupled in the decade with more
aid workers victims of kidnapping than any other form of attack. ICRC promotes a
framework for Neutral Independent Humanitarian Action (NIHA) to enable differentiated
role understanding.
Legal Basis for Protection of Humanitarian Workers
The legal basis for protection of humanitarian workers in armed conflicts is contained in
the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the related Protocols I and II of 1977. These
treaties describe the category of civilians and outline the rights and obligations of noncombatants
during armed conflicts. These rights include the right to be treated
humanely; to have access to food, water, shelter, medical treatment, and
Page 71 of 137