Thursday
20th Aug 2026
Dhivehi Edition
President Muizzu, Photo: President's Office
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to standing with humanitarian workers serving communities around the world and to supporting efforts to ensure their safety.
The President made the remarks in a message issued to mark World Humanitarian Day, observed annually on August 19 to honour humanitarian workers who have lost their lives or been injured while providing assistance in crisis-affected areas.
In his message, President Muizzu noted that the need for humanitarian assistance continues to grow due to conflicts, destruction of homes, hunger and climate-related disasters.
He highlighted Gaza as an area where humanitarian assistance is currently facing significant obstacles. The President condemned deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid, the blockade of assistance and attacks against humanitarian workers, describing such actions as serious violations of international law.
President Muizzu reiterated the Maldives’ solidarity with the Palestinian people and called for an immediate and permanent end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The President also stressed that the safety and security of small states depend on an international system based on international law and standards that are applied equally to all countries. As a party to the Fourth Geneva Convention, he reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to upholding international humanitarian law and protecting civilians and humanitarian workers.
He called on all countries to uphold the principles of humanitarianism, impartiality, neutrality and independence, while emphasising the importance of respecting humanitarian operations.
Remembering humanitarian workers who have placed themselves in danger and sacrificed their lives in the service of others, President Muizzu said the international community has a responsibility to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian personnel without exception.
“Being a small country is not a reason for a country’s moral responsibility to be diminished,” the President said, while calling on the Maldives to speak out against attacks targeting humanitarian workers and stand up for the rights of the vulnerable.
World Humanitarian Day is observed every August 19 to honour humanitarian workers who have been killed or injured while working in areas affected by disasters and conflicts, and to recognise those who risk their lives to help save others.