Humanitarian Corridor: A Ray of Hope for People Trapped in War and Crisis

Humanitarian Corridor: A Ray of Hope for People Trapped in War and Crisis
Special Correspondent, Dhaka | 8 May 2025

Amid ongoing global conflicts, natural disasters, and political instability, the humanitarian corridor has emerged as the only path of hope for helpless people struggling to survive. To escape the horrors of war, reach safe shelters, and receive basic humanitarian aid, these corridors have become their last resort.

What is a Humanitarian Corridor?

According to the United Nations, a humanitarian corridor is a designated safe passage or area established within conflict zones based on agreements and specific time frames, overseen by neutral organizations. The main objective is to safely evacuate civilians and deliver food, medicine, medical care, and emergency aid.

To ensure the effectiveness of these corridors, consensus and coordination from all involved parties are required. The UN, International Red Cross, and other humanitarian organizations play a crucial role in their implementation.

Key Benefits of Humanitarian Corridors

1. Saving Lives and Ensuring Shelter
   Humanitarian corridors allow women, children, the elderly, and the injured to be moved to safe locations. This provides a chance for survival even amidst war or crisis.

2. Facilitating Delivery of Humanitarian Aid
   Conflict often makes it nearly impossible to deliver aid to starving or sick individuals. These corridors break through such barriers and provide a path for aid workers.

3. Implementation of International Human Rights and Humanitarian Laws
   Humanitarian corridors are a tangible expression of humanitarian principles. They represent real-world efforts to uphold international human rights, prioritizing humanity even amid violence.

4. Creating an Environment of Trust and Dialogue
   Even temporary mutual understanding can emerge between warring parties through the establishment of humanitarian corridors, potentially laying the foundation for long-term peace.

Recent Examples and Realities

• Gaza-Israel Conflict
  Multiple humanitarian corridors were established at Gaza’s Rafah border through UN and Egyptian mediation. As a result, countless women, children, and foreign nationals were able to evacuate safely.

• Ukraine War
  Humanitarian corridors were set up between Russia and Ukraine to evacuate civilians from the city of Mariupol. However, repeated violations of these corridors have caused global concern.

Challenges and Criticisms

• Security Breaches:
  Despite official announcements, shelling or attacks often occur within corridors, endangering lives.

• Lack of Trust Among Parties:
  A major obstacle in implementing corridors is the mutual distrust among warring factions.

• Weak Oversight:
  In some cases, the absence of neutral monitoring leads to the misuse of humanitarian corridors for political gain.

Role of the UN and International Organizations

UN bodies such as UNHCR, OCHA, and the ICRC (International Red Cross) actively work to establish humanitarian corridors globally. Their mission is to ensure maximum humanitarian assistance—even in war-torn areas.

The UN has repeatedly emphasized that no matter how severe a conflict may be, the protection of civilian lives is a mandatory requirement under international law. Thus, humanitarian corridors are not just a tactical tool—they are an inseparable part of humanity.