This World Humanitarian Day, we share the below statement from Church Agencies Network Disaster Operations (CAN DO). ABM Anglicans in Development is a member of CAN DO, an Australian disaster response consortium. 

World Humanitarian Day 2026: CAN DO renews call for the protection and support of people delivering aid

Humanitarian workers “are the best of humanity, and their selfless devotion to improving the lives of others should not cost them their own,” Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said in her speech at the signing ceremony of the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel at the United Nations Headquarters in New York last year.

The Declaration “renews our commitment at the highest political level to protect aid workers in conflict zones” and “calls for safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access,” said Minister Wong.

As a consortium of Australian church-based humanitarian agencies, the Church Agencies Network Disaster Operations (CAN DO) strongly supports Australia’s continued leadership in advancing the protection of humanitarian personnel and echoes the sentiments expressed by Minister Wong as it joins the international community in commemorating World Humanitarian Day today.

CAN DO renews the call for the protection of all people delivering aid to communities in need, especially those operating in highly insecure situations who face significant risks while providing lifesaving assistance.

CAN DO members and local partners respond to a wide range of humanitarian crises around the world including armed conflict, natural disasters or health crises.

“CAN DO works through local partners, church networks and community volunteers in providing locally led humanitarian response during and after emergencies. They are often the first to mobilise when disasters strike,” said Chey Mattner, CAN DO Director.

These local partners are part of the communities they serve and may be facing the same impacts of the emergency. Even in difficult circumstances, they stand alongside their neighbours and help ensure assistance reaches those who need it.

“Local responders are critical as their knowledge, trusted relationships and long-standing presence within communities enable faster, more informed responses and help strengthen communities well beyond the emergency. Protecting and supporting them is essential to ensuring they can safely reach affected communities and continue their humanitarian work without fear,” Mattner added.

CAN DO is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership.

To learn more about CAN DO and its global humanitarian initiatives, visit: www.cando.org.au

To see our current Emergency Appeals and how you can help, please visit www.abmission.org/appeals/emergency-appeals/