Statement by the Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. for Myanmar, Mr. Michael Dunford

This World Humanitarian Day (WHD), we urge the global community to bear witness to the daily dangers faced by civilians in Myanmar – suffering that too often goes unseen. Airstrikes; drone attacks; artillery shelling; forced recruitment; displacement; landmines—these are causing untold suffering to the population. These are not isolated incidents, they are the daily realities for women, men and children trying to survive in Myanmar. Civilians are losing their lives and safety, in clear violation of international law.

As humanitarians, we advocate tirelessly for the protection of civilians. Yet the violence persists. Ongoing security and protection risks, especially in conflict- and disaster-affected areas, put vulnerable communities in constant peril. Threats on civilians continue to escalate—largely resulting from targeted attacks and failures to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants.

I call on all the numerous parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law, and to protect the innocent caught in a conflict they never chose. Civilians are not combatants, yet they are paying the highest price.

World Humanitarian Day is also an occasion to raise an urgent alarm for the safety of humanitarian workers—the people who risk everything to help others. Aid workers, especially frontline responders and local partners, are the back-bone of life-saving operations. But they, too, are increasingly at risk. In 2024 alone, nine aid workers were killed in Myanmar, according to the Aid Worker Security Database. Others have reportedly been injured, detained or obstructed from reaching those in need. 

The normalization of violence against aid workers must end. Humanitarian personnel, assets and access must be protected—without exception.

We call on the global community and all governments to stand unequivocally with survivors of violence in Myanmar, and with the humanitarians striving to support them. This World Humanitarian Day, we denounce the failure to protect. We honour those we have lost. Impunity must end. Those with power and influence must act for the most vulnerable in Myanmar. Together, let us #ActForHumanity.

About World Humanitarian Day

In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly designated 19 August as World Humanitarian Day to raise awareness about humanitarian assistance worldwide and to pay tribute to the people who risk their lives to provide it. World Humanitarian Day was commemorated for the first time on 19 August 2009.

In 2025, the humanitarian community is relaunching the global #ActForHumanity campaign for World Humanitarian Day with added urgency – demanding protection, accountability and action. This year’s campaign will rally public support to pressure those in power to uphold the laws that safeguard humanity and protect civilians and humanitarian workers in conflict zones.

For more information, please visit: https://2025.worldhumanitarianday.org/