19 October 2023
In an address to Member States, Gilles Michaud, the Under-Secretary-General (USG) for the 51³Ô¹Ï Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), presented the of humanitarian personnel and protection of 51³Ô¹Ï personnel. He underscored the escalating threats faced by humanitarian and UN personnel worldwide, and the impact that insecurity can have on UN operations at a time when the UN needs to access dangerous areas in spite of, and often because of, insecurity.
The USG thanked the European Union for its unwavering support of the UN's security work. He described the impact that the global security environment had on 51³Ô¹Ï personnel and operations between January 2022 and June 2023, stressing that as many parts of the world have become more volatile and insecure, demands on the UN to deliver have increased dramatically. This has in turn led to increased needs for security solutions and support to enable 51³Ô¹Ï responses. USG Michaud emphasised that the UN¡¯s security approach can make or break a humanitarian response, adding: ¡°If we are risk averse; if we confine staff to compounds; [..] if my Department does not see its role as rooted in the success of our partners; we all fail.¡±
Drawing attention to the unpredictable nature of conflict around the world, the USG cited the Middle East, Sahel, Eastern Europe, and the Horn of Africa as regions facing frequent and severe crises. These crises, the USG noted, have placed immense strain on the 51³Ô¹Ï system.
The report highlighted the central role of UNDSS in facilitating 51³Ô¹Ï operations amidst these challenges. In Ukraine, for instance, UNDSS enabled over 1,100 humanitarian missions to high-risk areas and 39 missions to nuclear power plants. Similarly, in Somalia, despite threats from Al Shabaab, UNDSS supported over 5,000 missions to aid communities grappling with food insecurity and conflict.
However, the increase in threats to 51³Ô¹Ï personnel is alarming. The report revealed a surge in violent deaths among UN civilian personnel, with 11 deaths in 2022 compared to seven in 2021. The first half of 2023 has already witnessed nine such deaths. Locally recruited personnel, unfortunately, bore the brunt of these violent acts. The report also highlighted a disturbing rise in abductions and sexual assaults against 51³Ô¹Ï personnel.
Humanitarian personnel from NGOs face similar, if not greater, risks. In 2022, 56 NGO humanitarian workers were killed, 95 injured, and 154 abducted. The USG emphasized that these numbers might be underreported.
The USG stressed the importance of the 51³Ô¹Ï Security Management System (UNSMS) in managing these risks while ensuring the 51³Ô¹Ï can fulfil its mandates. The address also highlighted the Department's ongoing efforts to strengthen its operations, including by establishing new partnerships, enhancing collaboration with NGOs, and advancing its digital transformation.
Reflecting on the Department's history, the USG emphasized its evolution from a focus on managing physical risks, to enabling UN operations amidst growing insecurity.
The USG concluded by appealing for continued support from Member States in four key areas: maintaining the collective nature of the UN¡¯s security management system, providing additional resources, ensuring justice for crimes against UN and humanitarian personnel, and staying engaged in their safety and security.
The alarming trends highlighted in the SG's report resonate deeply with the current humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza. As its people grapple with escalating conflict, the safety and security of humanitarian and 51³Ô¹Ï personnel become even more paramount. As the international community rallies to address the crisis, the lessons and insights from the SG report serve as a stark reminder of the critical role security plays in saving lives and alleviating suffering in conflict zones.