ULiège and Protect Humanitarians International Chair welcomes 21 new partner organizations and universities

As attacks on humanitarian workers multiply in crisis zones and international humanitarian law becomes increasingly fragile, the International Chair on the Protection of Humanitarian Workers, led by the University of Liège and the NGO Protect Humanitarians, founded by Olivier Vandecasteele, is entering a new stage in its development.

One year after its launch, the Chair announces the accession of 21 new partner organisations and universities, thereby strengthening an international network for research, expertise and action dedicated to the protection and support of humanitarian workers around the world.

The Chair is now a unique platform bringing together researchers, field practitioners and survivors of humanitarian incidents in order to better understand the risks faced by humanitarian workers and to develop concrete responses in prevention, protection, care and mental health.

The consortium now brings together 13 academic institutions and 8 operational organisations active in a variety of contexts, including regions affected by armed conflict and major humanitarian crises, notably in Palestine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ukraine.

Anne-Sophie Nyssen, Rector of ULiège: “Barely one year after its launch, this is a project that is growing and taking shape internationally around a topic that necessarily calls for multiple and interdisciplinary perspectives, particularly legal, political, psychological and medical. For example, the issue of mental health after captivity is proving to be crucial and complex in terms of care. It is the role of universities to take up these questions and address them in a scientific and innovative way. The signing of the agreement with 21 new partners demonstrates the relevance of the project launched by ULiège with Protect Humanitarians.”

Frédéric Bouhon, Professor of Public Law at ULiège and one of the founders of the Chair: “I am very pleased that the initiative I launched with several Liège colleagues and Olivier Vandecasteele has so quickly resonated with other prestigious universities and organisations around the world. A genuine international network of expertise is now being established on the still urgent issue of protecting humanitarian workers. The academic dimension is being strengthened, while connections with the humanitarian field are confirmed.”

Olivier Vandecasteele, Director of Protect Humanitarians: “Humanitarian workers have never been so heavily targeted. In 2025 alone, more than 950 of us were killed, injured, kidnapped or arrested around the world. Behind every attack and every abduction, there are shattered lives, trauma and entire populations deprived of aid. Having endured arbitrary detention and torture myself, I know how these forms of violence leave deep and lasting wounds. No survivor can accept seeing other colleagues go through the same ordeals without better protection and genuine support. Humanitarian action is often the last hope for populations struck by crises. Better protecting humanitarian workers is an essential condition for protecting civilians and preserving a minimum of humanity in conflicts.”

Gustave Mushagalusa Nachigera, Denis Mukwege Centre of Excellence: “In the face of persistent insecurity and armed violence in eastern DR Congo, an international research network on the protection of humanitarian personnel would strengthen the safety, healthcare and mental health support provided to humanitarian actors working with affected populations. Protecting humanitarian workers means preserving the last line of dignity in one of the world’s most complex humanitarian crises.”

List of signatories to the Chair:

• Alliance for Public Health Ukraine
• Bergen University – Centre for Crisis Psychology
• Bergen University – Society and Workplace Diversity Research Group
• Buea University
• Denis Mukwege Centre of Excellence
• CoCreate Humanity
• Humanitarian Aid International
• Humanitarian Outcomes
• INCLUSIVE
• International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO)
• Karolinska Institute
• Médecins du Monde
• MHPSS Hub Red Cross/Red Crescent
• Canadian Observatory on Crisis and Humanitarian Action (OCCAH)
• Strathmore University
• Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
• Trinity College Dublin
• Université Catholique de Bukavu
• UCLouvain
• University College Dublin
• University of Cambridge – CRASSH