674 Ribbons: Reflections from the launch of the Declaration on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel

Launched on 21 September 2025 on the North Lawn of the United Nations Secretariat in New York, the Declaration on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel has already been endorsed by over 100 states. It marks a new global commitment to protect aid workers amid unprecedented levels of violence. Representing GISF’s NGO community at the launch, Jens Ekstroem, Regional Safety & Security Director from the International Rescue Committee, shares his reflections of the day.

Against a backdrop of 674 ribbons – each representing a humanitarian worker killed in service since the start of 2024 – the Declaration was launched. The sight of those ribbons, moving gently in the breeze, was a stark reminder of the scale of loss in our sector.

The event brought together hundreds of UN dignitaries, ministers, ambassadors, and humanitarian colleagues. It opened with a strong opening statement by Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. He emphasised the core areas of the Declaration and issued a clear call for action. His words echoed recent commitments such as UN Security Council Resolution 2730, which reaffirmed the protection of humanitarian personnel and the urgent need for states to uphold international humanitarian law.

Mirjana Spoljaric Eggar, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, followed with equally powerful words, citing deadly incidents since the start of 2024 in which humanitarian workers were directly targeted.

Among the remarks, several lines stood out to me:

“Humanitarians carry hope where there is despair. They are selfless in a selfish world. They seek to mend what others seek to break. They bring humanity where there is inhumanity. Yet the best of us are under attack.”

“This is more than a statistical spike. It is a stain. The normalisation of violence against this community.”

After these words, we were invited to stand for a minute of silence to honour humanitarian personnel killed since the start of 2024. With those still ringing in my ears, and the late-summer breeze from the East River rustling through the trees, I could see many in the crowd visibly moved. I felt the same – standing among colleagues, remembering those we had lost, and reflecting on the risks faced by so many.

The ceremony continued with Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, who reinforced the unprecedented scale of losses in recent years. She stressed that aid workers who dedicate their lives to protecting others are being killed, wounded, or kidnapped at alarming rates. Wong named Sudan, South Sudan, DRC, Myanmar, Yemen, Ukraine, and Gaza, and drew particular attention to the deadly targeting of the World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza. She then proceeded to the signing table and formally endorsed the Declaration.

Other senior representatives followed – Jordan, Switzerland, Sierra Leone, and Indonesia among them – each echoing the urgent need to strengthen protection for “national and locally recruited staff.” All concluded their remarks by signing the Declaration, with further dignitaries and mission representatives stepping forward to sign.

As the event concluded, the crowd dispersed almost as quickly as it had gathered. Left at the centre was the signed Declaration, flanked by the hundreds of ribbons representing colleagues who will not return home. The image was both stark and symbolic: a reminder of the cost already borne, and the responsibility to ensure that the commitments made on that lawn lead to real protection for those still serving on the frontlines.

Watch the full launch event – signing ceremony & vigil.

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