International humanitarian missions are confronted with significant risks for the personnel involved in such operations. Statistics testify to a recurrence of episodes in the form of deliberate attacks, violence and theft, to the detriment of the personnel and assets belonging to these missions, as shown notably by the periodic reports of the Secretary-General on the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel as well as by other sources. This phenomenon is most common in cases where international actors have to operate in situations of armed conflict or in States affected by a general deterioration of security conditions, owing mainly to political and economic causes.
The specific duty to ensure the protection of personnel, equipment and goods attached to relief operations does not overlap with the parallel though distinct obligation embodied in draft article 14, namely, the facilitation of external assistance. According to draft article 14, the affected State shall take the necessary measures, within its national law, to facilitate the prompt and effective provision of external assistance and shall insure that its relevant legislation and regulations are readily accessible.
