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August 19, 2024 10:37
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World Humanitarian Day 2024, observed on August 19, honors the dedication of aid workers who risk their lives to help those in need. With the theme #ActForHumanity, the day highlights the vital role of humanitarians in addressing global crises and promoting peace.
World Humanitarian Day, observed annually on August 19, is a day dedicated to recognizing the efforts of humanitarian workers and raising awareness about the importance of global humanitarian work. This day honors those who risk their lives in humanitarian service and advocates for the support of people affected by crises worldwide. World Humanitarian Day 2024 continues this tradition by focusing on the critical role of aid workers in the face of increasing global challenges.
World Humanitarian Day is a day to honor humanitarian efforts worldwide and to promote the importance of life-saving aid and protection for people in need. It is a day to celebrate the spirit that inspires humanitarian work around the globe. The day is marked by various events, including social media campaigns, fundraising activities, and educational programs aimed at raising awareness about the significance of humanitarian work and the challenges faced by aid workers.
The theme for World Humanitarian Day 2024 is #Act For Humanity, which emphasizes the unwavering commitment of humanitarian workers who provide aid and support in the most challenging circumstances. This theme highlights the resilience and dedication of those who continue to work in conflict zones, natural disaster areas, and other high-risk environments, ensuring that help reaches those in need, no matter the obstacles.
World Humanitarian Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008 and was first celebrated in 2009.
The date, August 19, was chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, which killed 22 people, including the UN’s top humanitarian official in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. The day serves as a reminder of the need to protect humanitarian workers and to recognize their contribution to global peace and security.
Humanitarians, including aid workers, operate in disaster and conflict zones, providing essential resources like food and protection to those in need. The demand for their work has surged due to the climate crisis and ongoing conflicts, such as the one in Ukraine. Currently, a record 360 million people worldwide require humanitarian assistance, marking a 30% increase since early 2022.
In 2023, 91 aid workers were killed, 120 injured, and 53 abducted, according to a recent UN report on civilian protection. The conflict in Gaza alone claimed the lives of over 224 humanitarians, including more than 190 personnel from UNRWA and other UN agencies. National staff made up over 90% of those affected in Gaza and other crisis areas.
World Humanitarian Day was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008 through a resolution that called for the establishment of a day to honor those who have lost their lives in the course of humanitarian service and to promote the principles of humanitarian work. The UN has since played a leading role in organizing events and campaigns to mark this important day.
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