Today marks World Humanitarian Day
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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The aid workers are the messengers we send to show our solidarity with the destitute. They represent the best that is in human nature. But their work is dangerous. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
The UN General Assembly declared August 19 as World Humanitarian Day by its resolution of December 11, 2008. By entering this date into the calendar, the United Nations has identified the task of raising public awareness of humanitarian assistance activities around the world. In addition, the establishment of the Day of Humanitarian Assistance recalls the importance of international cooperation in this field, and also pays tribute to all those who have worked and continue to work in it.
According to experts, over the past decades, the ability of the humanitarian community to respond quickly and effectively to various crises and catastrophes caused by natural or human factors, as well as to anticipate them, has increased noticeably. This happened largely due to the selfless work of many thousands of people who chose to work in the field of humanitarian assistance. Their work is a graphic illustration of the fact that assistance to the needy must and can be provided regardless of religious, racial or gender identity, the UN resolution stresses.
A variety of information and educational events are held on World Humanitarian Day. In addition, on this day the world community remembers people who lost their lives, saving others. One of them is an employee of the United Nations, Sergio Vieira de Mello, who died as a result of an explosion in a hotel in Baghdad. It happened on August 19, 2003 - and in honor of this sad event the date for the World Humanitarian Day was chosen.