UN Marks 19 August As World Humanitarian Day

The summit will be a global rallying cry for humanity where world leaders from government, business and communities will commit to international action to save more lives and search for solutions to the enormous humanitarian challenges ahead. More than 60 million have been forced from their homes, in the worst displacement since the second world war. Today we reflect on and celebrate these achievements, borne of a collective commitment based on shared principles and values. Additionally, some try to speak to the press to help spread these key messages of World Humanitarian Day, while other groups organize public events worldwide that feature humanitarian work. “Today, we honor humanitarian workers who continue to risk their lives as they help people who suffer”, Christos Stylianides, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, said in a statement. Those at greatest risk are often the national staff of aid organisations, women and men from countries affected by crises.

Momentum is now building ahead of the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in May 2016 and World Humanitarian Day is an opportunity to consider how we can all reshape aid in the face of growing need.

This is evident through the suspension or closure of life-saving medical projects or even the departure of humanitarian actors from a given context following critical security incidents such as the killing or abduction of aid workers. This is unacceptable. The world should show zero tolerance to those in conflicts who flagrantly fail to respect and protect humanitarian workers in accordance with international humanitarian law.

We also have two chances this fall to reach decision-makers and help guide these conversations to support humanitarians working in the overstretched humanitarian system: The October Global Consultation of UN member states, including the United States, and the November report of the UN High Level Panel on Humanitarian Financing. This spirit knows no national or cultural boundaries.

“Their selfless efforts are an inspiration to us all”. We applaud the very best of humanity. The scale of emergency needs far outstrips our capacity to respond with the resources to meet the minimum humanitarian needs – water, food, shelter, essential healthcare and protection. This prevents millions of people from receiving life-saving assistance.