Topic: Protecting Humanitarian Workers in Conflict Zones
Country: Libya
Delegate Name: Eli Simons
School: Roeper School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Libya position papers GLIMUN 2011 committees
Humanitarian workers are essential to improving the quality of life in developing countries and war zones. However protecting these humanitarian workers in conflict zones poses an important yet difficult issue. The motives are different with every situation, weather it’s a suicide bombing on peace troops in Afghanistan or a kidnapping of aid workers in Yemen, the motives and victims have a wide range.
Since 1993, there have been over 89 attacks on humanitarian workers, resulting in over 270 deaths, disappearances, and other injuries. Many of these have been directed towards peacekeeping troops. We must fins a way to prevent any further amounts of these acts of terrorism.
Libya suggests that with every humanitarian group that travels to a conflict zone, the United Nations sends with it a group of peace troops with the goal of keeping that delegation safe. Although we understand that this could put a huge strain on the United Nations’s budget, we believe that this measure is extreme yet necessary to ensure the safety of our fellow citizens of the world.
Regarding the attacks on United Nations peace troops, we believe that the first measure taken is to simply better train the peace troops. Although we understand that they are meant to keep the peace, there are obviously some instances where they will be forced to fight for their survival. We think it is essential that the United Nations peace troops receive the highest quality military combat training. We suggest that they train with the American Marine Corps, or depending on how bad the conflict zone is, the Green Berets.
Keeping humanitarian workers safe in conflict zones is one of the most important issues facing the United Nations today, and we believe that with time and effort, great strides will be made.
