World Vision marks a year since Anne Aly finalised the text

Aid worker protection has reached 122 nations after Australia backed a global declaration to protect humanitarian staff. World Vision said the aid worker protection pledge covers workers serving children and families in conflict zones.

World Vision marked the milestone on World Humanitarian Day, Wednesday 19th August, one year after Minister for International Development Dr Anne Aly announced the final wording of the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel.

Australia led the signing of the declaration at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025. The agreement commits signatories to uphold international humanitarian law, protect humanitarian workers and help life-saving aid reach children and families in war zones.

The declaration followed the deadliest years on record for humanitarian workers. World Vision said most of those killed were local staff serving their own communities.

World Vision local staff

World Vision Australia chief executive Grant Bayldon said the declaration showed Australia taking principled leadership. He said an attack on an aid worker can strip a community of food, medicine and care.

At World Vision, 98% of staff worldwide are locally engaged. That means attacks on aid workers also hit the doctors, nurses, teachers and drivers their neighbours rely on.

Bayldon said: “Today, 122 nations have made a promise to protect the people who protect others. The task now is to turn that promise into practice.”

World Vision also tied the declaration to Australian public support for humanitarian work. The charity said Australian generosity helps local workers deliver lasting aid in their own communities.

On 19th August 2025, Dr Aly announced the declaration text had been finalised. In September 2025, Australia then led its signing at the UN General Assembly.