Every day, humanitarian aid workers stand on the frontlines of war and disaster, having tremendous dangers and difficulties to deliver assistance to those who need it most. World Humanitarian Day (WHD), which takes place every year on 19th August, recognizes the aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian action. The day was designated by the General Assembly nine years ago to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the United Nations Headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq which resulted in the death of 22 persons, including UN envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello.

The theme for 2022 is REAL LIFE HEROES:
Under the overarching theme of “Real Life Heroes” humanitarian partners are coming together to reaffirms that civilians caught in conflict are Real Life Heroes. Through a global online campaign featuring an innovative partnership with Facebook Live, together with events held around the world, we will raise our voices to advocate for those most vulnerable in war zones, and demand that world leaders do everything within their powers to protect civilians in conflicts.

This campaign follows on the UN Secretary-General’s report on protection of civilians, which was launched earlier this year. Laying out his ‘path to protection’, the Secretary-General calls for enhanced respect for international humanitarian and human rights law, and protection of civilians infrastructure.

Around the world, conflict is exacting a massive toll on people’s lives. Trapped in wars that are not of their making, millions of civilians are forced to hid or run for their lives. Children are taken out of school, families are displaced from their homes, and communities are torn apart, while the world is not doing enough to stop their suffering. At the same time, health and aid workers who risk their lives to care for people affected by violence are increasingly being targeted.

Everyone can be a humanitarian. People affected by disasters are often the first to help their own communities following a disaster. Responding to emergencies is only one aspect of humanitarian work. Humanitarian workers also support communities to rebuild their lives after disasters, to become more resilient to future crises, to advocate for their voices to be heard, and to build lasting and sustainable peace in areas of conflict.

The basic frame work of protection of civilians is hinged on the law of Armed Conflict or International Humanitarian Law which governs the conduct in hostilities. There are two historical streams of the components of International Humanitarian Law.
1. The Law of the Hauge, referred to as the law of war proper.
2. The Law of Geneva, or Humanitarian Law.

The International Humanitarian Law has four Basic Principles of:

PRINCIPLE OF DISTINCTION
The principle of distinction protects civilian persons and civilian objects from the effects of military operations. It requires parties to an armed conflict to distinguish at all times, and under all circumstances, between combatants and military objectives on the hand, and civilians and civilians objects on the other; and only to target the former. It also provides that civilians lose such protection should they take a direct part in hostilities. The principle of distinction has also been found by the ICRC to be reflected in state practice; it is therefore an established norm of customary international law in both international and non-international armed conflicts.

NECESSITY AND PROPORTIONALITY
Necessity and proportionality are established principles in humanitarian law. Under IHL a belligerent may apply only the amount and kind of force necessary to defeat the enemy. Further, attacks on military objects must not cause loss of civilians life considered excessive in relation to the direct military advantage anticipated. Every feasible precaution must be taken by commanders to avoid civilian casualties. The principle of proportionality has also been found by the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) to form part of customary international law in international and non-international armed conflicts.


PRINCIPLE OF HUMANE TREATMENT
The principle of humane treatment requires that civilians be treated humanely at all times. It prohibits violence to life and person (including cruel treatment and torture), the taking of hostages, humiliating and degrading treatment, and execution without regular trial against non-combatants, including persons wounded, sick and shipwrecked. Civilians are entitled to respect for their physical and mental integrity, their honour, family rights, religious convictions and practices, and their manners and customs. This principle of humane treatment has been affirmed by the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) as a norm of customary international law, applicable in both international and non-international armed conflicts.

PRINCIPLE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
The principle of non-discrimination is a core principle of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Adverse distinction based on race, sex, nationality, religious belief or political opinion is prohibited in the treatment of prisoners of war, civilians, and persons hors de combat. All protected persons shall be treated with the same consideration by parties to the conflict, without distinction based on race, religion, sex or political opinion. Each and every person affected by armed conflict is entitled to his fundamental rights and guarantees, without discrimination. The prohibition against adverse distinction is also considered by the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) to form part of customary international law in international and non-international armed conflict. Women and children are granted preferential treatment, respect and protection. Women must be protected from rape and from any form of indecent assault. Children under the age of eighteen must not be permitted to take part in hostilities.

PROTECTING CIVILIANS IN INTERNAL ARMED CONFLICT
The latest incidents confirm that the most dramatic and prevalent threats to civilians arise in internal armed conflicts of the 57 armed conflicts that took place in 2021, 57 were internal in character, involving one or more non-State actors. A common feature of internal armed conflicts is the widespread violation of international humanitarian and human rights law by the State and non-State actors. Threats to civilians also increase with the proliferation to weapons, especially small arms and landmines, and as a result of the organized crime and random violence that occur in these chaotic conditions. The presence of armed groups among civilians plays a particular role in blurring the dividing line between combatants and non-combatants, a vital distinction in international humanitarian law. These developments have cast doubt on the validity of some of the basic tenets of international humanitarian protection, in particular the central role of States in the protection of civilians and the non-military character of civilians assets.

The development of international humanitarian law and human rights law is deeply rooted in the historical and political environment of the twentieth century and the paradigm of the nation State. Traditional protection strategies under the international humanitarian law and human rights conventions have focused primarily on the role of States. Accordingly States are the principal agents to humanitarian protection under international legal instruments such as the 1949 Geneva Conventions on the protection of war victim. Charged with ensuring that military operations are restricted to military targets and that population in need receive adequate relief assistance and protection.

To mark World Humanitarian Day (WHD), the United Nations has called on governments and other bodies across the globe to embark on a concerted programme aimed at mitigating the effect of violence, regarded as one of the newest threats to the continuous existence of human being sequel to World Health Organization (WHO) reported titled: “Violence, Our Concern”, said violence accounts for over 1.6 million deaths per year in every corners of the global including Nigeria.

The bane of vagaries of exposure of the Civilian populace emanated from religious exploitation and crude political maneuver of selfish and tribal sentiments became the order of the day, lawlessness, impunity, infringement on fundamental human rights, lack of rule of law and non-compliance to rules and methods of managing public and private enterprises in Nigeria. There was a delusive notion that propels any geographically based group which emboldens them to claim ownership of Statehood. Such is always an essential element of their propaganda to potentially recruit recalcitrant youth groups to generate national crisis with fake and negative indoctrination, instead of encouraging youth groups to volunteer in humanitarian activities, relief projects to help victims of disaster and violent conflicts. If they teach the youth groups to help others, give them the tools to empower themselves and feel that they are part of national vehicle of humanity, it will be very purposeful and meaningful. Youths must be protected by providing to them with positive counter-narratives of national ethos and values of which will yield adequate patriotism, by offering opportunities of language learning, cultural exchange, professional service providers, mentors, tutors, helpers, social network fosters employments, vocational and industrial training which is the panacea to National Economic Growth.

Protecting the Civil Populace is becoming more difficult in a world where crises are increasing in complexity and magnitude. The humanitarian system faces unprecedented strain, with four “level 3” emergencies the UN’s highest classification for a humanitarian crisis in Syria, Iraq, South Sudan, Yemen and Nigeria. Violence and insecurity in these countries are causing massive internal and cross-border displacements, and aid workers are saving lives at great risk to their own. In just over a decade, the number of people in need of humanitarian aid has more than doubled.

Sequel to the extremely difficult situations of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) mostly in the North East and North Central of Nigeria and other theatres of war and internal conflicts within the country, every humanitarian is called upon to rapidly respond in one way or the other to cushion the effect of excruciating hardship, severe malnutrition, health hazards and psychological problem of displacement and vagaries of harsh weather, contaminations and terrorists invasions.

It is most auspicious to use the World Humanitarian Day (WHD) to call on every person to eschew any illegal dead, incisive utterances, bellicose stance, felonious threats, and pugnacious attitude that will precipitate violent exhibitions which would lead to death of defenseless civilians.

IT IS PERTINENT TO SAY A BIG THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMMITTED THEIR LIVES IN HELPING OTHERS!!!



PROF. PETER EMEKA KATCHY (Gold Medalist) JP FCAI FIPAM
Tel: +2348039510069
E-mail:emekakatchy@yahoo.com