The Maldives has a duty to speak clearly against violence targeting humanitarian personnel and to defend vulnerable people, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said.
In a message marking World Humanitarian Day, President Muizzu said the Maldives stood in firm solidarity with humanitarian workers around the world who risk their lives to serve humanity.
He said the need for humanitarian assistance was growing amid conflicts, displacement, hunger and climate-related crises.
The president said the collapse of humanitarian protection was particularly evident in Gaza, where he described the obstruction of humanitarian aid, blockades and violence against relief workers as grave violations of international law.
He strongly condemned such violations, reaffirmed the Maldives' solidarity with the Palestinian people and called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
President Muizzu said small states depended on a rules-based international order in which international law was upheld equally for all.
As a party to the Fourth Geneva Convention, the Maldives remained committed to international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel, he said.
He called on all countries to respect humanitarian operations and uphold the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.
The president also paid tribute to humanitarian workers who risk, and often lose, their lives while helping others. He said their sacrifices required the international community to guarantee the safety and protection of humanitarian personnel.
President Muizzu reiterated the message in a post on his official X account on Tuesday.
World Humanitarian Day is observed annually on 19 August to honour aid workers killed or injured while working in crisis zones and to recognise those who risk their lives to provide life-saving assistance.