September 23rd 2024.
Australia has taken on a new global initiative to safeguard aid workers in warzones, following the tragic loss of Zomi Frankcom and her fellow colleagues in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza earlier this year. The statistics are alarming - last year marked the deadliest period for aid workers, with over 280 individuals losing their lives and many more injured and abducted. And this year, in 2024, the number of casualties has continued to rise in conflict zones across the world, including Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, and various other regions. The recent attack in Lebanon, which claimed the lives of 356 individuals, serves as a stark reminder of the constant danger that aid workers face on a daily basis.
In light of these tragedies, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has taken action by meeting with prominent humanitarian organizations in New York. Among them are UNICEF, the International Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, World Central Kitchen, and the World Food Programme. Together, they will discuss ways to better protect those who risk their lives to deliver essential aid to civilians in the most dangerous places on earth. Following this meeting, the Australian government plans to collaborate with other countries to establish a declaration outlining specific measures to safeguard aid workers in war zones. The rest of the world will also be invited to join in this effort.
The family of Zomi Frankcom has voiced their support for this action, stating that individuals like Zomi, who possess such bravery and selflessness, should not only be honored but also protected. They emphasize that aid workers should not have to sacrifice their lives in order to carry out their vital work. Zomi's family also acknowledges that she was aware of the risks involved in her profession, but she had faith in the deconfliction mechanisms in place to keep her safe.
Zomi's family also expresses their belief that she had the right to fulfill her passion for helping others in their most desperate times. They highlight her courage and determination to bring joy, hope, and light to communities in their darkest hours. The family calls for an end to the blatant disregard for the safety of aid workers and civilians in Gaza and urges for a ceasefire to put an end to the ongoing conflict.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong shares the family's concerns and reveals that 2024 is set to surpass 2023 as the deadliest year on record for aid workers. She acknowledges that this trend is a cause for alarm, as it puts the protection of humanitarian personnel at risk and goes against the international laws and norms that are in place to safeguard them. Wong also brings attention to the tragic incident in April, where an IDF strike against World Central Kitchen vehicles resulted in the death of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and her colleagues.
In light of these events, Wong calls on the international community to recommit themselves to protecting aid workers in conflict zones. She stresses that Gaza is currently the most dangerous place for aid workers and that it is crucial to ensure that their deaths are not in vain. Wong urges for immediate action to be taken to prevent further tragedies and to ensure the safety of those who risk their lives to provide aid to those in need. She also invites individuals to follow their WhatsApp channel for the latest updates in breaking news, celebrity, and sports, with the assurance that their privacy will be respected and their information will not be shared.
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