OTTAWA, Aug. 19, 2018 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister,
Justin Trudeau, today issued the
following statement on World Humanitarian Day:
"World Humanitarian Day reminds us of a sombre reality: the
world faces pressing, and increasingly complex, humanitarian
crises.
"The need for humanitarian workers is unprecedented, and their
work has never been more difficult or dangerous. Where people flee,
humanitarian workers go. While headlines fade, humanitarian workers
persist. In grave conditions, humanitarian workers provide a
lifeline.
"Yet humanitarian workers have increasingly become targets of
violence, abuse, and kidnapping, and shut out from where they are
needed most. As an international community, we have a
responsibility to uphold and promote international humanitarian law
so humanitarian workers can safely reach the most vulnerable and
deliver vital assistance. Humanitarian workers themselves have an
obligation to reflect the highest ethical standards in this
critically important work.
"Conflict and violence, natural disaster, epidemic, famine –
almost every crisis disproportionally affects women and children.
That is why, last year, we launched the Feminist International
Assistance Policy, which puts the empowerment of women and girls at
the centre of our international assistance efforts. Canada will continue to work closely with the
international community and the United Nations to carry out
critical humanitarian work around the world.
"On behalf of the Government of Canada, I thank all humanitarian workers for
their courage and selflessness. In some of the most difficult
environments imaginable, you provide relief and hope for millions
of people."
This document is also available at http://pm.gc.ca.
SOURCE Prime Minister's Office