(VOVWORLD) -Vietnam condemns acts of assault and violence against humanitarian and UN personnel, calling on the parties involved in the conflict to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law to distinguish between combatants and civilians, protect infrastructure vital to civilian life, keep humanitarian workers safe, and ensure unimpeded humanitarian access. 

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the United Nations, made the statement on Friday at the United Nations Security Council’s ministerial meeting to hear a report on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel in Armed Conflict.

Ambassador Quy told the meeting that in the context of protracted conflict, which seriously threatens the lives and lives of civilians, humanitarian workers and UN staff have an important role to play in alleviating humanitarian burdens and assisting people.

Regarding the principles of humanitarian activities, the Vietnamese Ambassador stressed the need to be objective, neutral and independent, complying with the UN Charter on national sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs as well as complying with law of the recipient country. He said that humanitarian organizations should strengthen dialogue with the recipient country and the parties to the conflict to find solutions to overcome difficulties and obstacles to humanitarian activities.

The Ambassador affirmed that a country plays a leading role in protecting civilians, therefore, it is necessary to focus on long-term solutions to strengthen the national capacity to protect civilians, increase resistance to challenges and crisis, reduce dependence on humanitarian aid, address root causes of conflict, post-conflict recovery, and build lasting peace.

Source: VOV5