World Humanitarian Day is held every year on 19th August, to pay tribute to aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service.
It is also used to rally support for people affected by crises around the world.
On 19th August 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad killed 22 humanitarian aid workers, including the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello.
Five years later, the General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 19th
August as World Humanitarian Day.
Each year, World Humanitarian Day focuses on a theme, bringing together partners from across the humanitarian system to advocate the survival, well-being, and dignity of people affected by crises, and for the safety and security of aid workers.
This year, the already difficult work carried out by humanitarians has been made even more so by the COVID-19 pandemic.
On World Humanitarian Day the world pays tribute and also gives heartfelt thanks to these #RealLifeHeroes who help others, no matter how daunting.
This year’s World Humanitarian Day honours the front-line health workers – the Real-Life Heroes – including doctors, nurses, midwives, community volunteers, and all those who risk their lives to ensure that everyone has access to health services, testing and treatment, protective equipment, and medication especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and all other emergencies.
