Humanitarian workers operate in perilous conditions, especially in conflict zones, where they risk kidnapping, injury, and death. In the past three years, over 1,000 humanitarian workers have lost their lives. Recent calls from Australia and six other nations aim to bolster legal protections for these individuals. The Healthcare in Danger project, initiated by the International Committee of the Red Cross in 2011, seeks to address the growing threats against health-care workers, which average over 750 violent incidents annually. Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Lebanon have intensified these risks, with 106 confirmed attacks on Lebanon’s health system since the start of the US-Iran conflict in March 2026. International humanitarian law, established by treaties like the 1949 Geneva Conventions, classifies humanitarian and health-care workers as civilians, offering them specific protections. In 2025, Australia spearheaded the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, which has garnered 112 signatories, committing nations to uphold these protections, although it lacks legal binding force. Ensuring the safety of humanitarian workers is crucial as they continue to risk their lives for the welfare of others.