World Humanitarian Day 2022 History & How To Observe

On August 19, humanitarian relief workers from all across the world are recognized on World Humanitarian Day. This day, which was established by the UN in 2009, honors the day of the attack on the UN offices in Iraq. 22 individuals died, including the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the UN.

People in need all across the world receive life-saving support from humanitarian aid professionals. Particularly at risk are workers who reside in conflict zones or communities that have recently suffered natural disasters. Read on to find out more about the day and how you can participate because anyone and everyone can be a humanitarian.

The day honors the thousands of humanitarian workers who lost their lives or were hurt while performing their duties. Did you know that 235 million people in 26 nations needed humanitarian aid at one point in 2021? Today is a day to recognize all the employees who continue to serve individuals in need by giving them assistance and protection. People celebrated this festival once with the theme “Human Race.” Although it is a day of remembrance, this holiday may also be thrilling and enjoyable.

When Is World Humanitarian Day?

On August 19, World Humanitarian Day honors the effort and dedication of humanitarian aid professionals.

History OF World Humanitarian Day

The day set aside to honor those who devote their life to serving the needs of others is known as World Humanitarian Day. It is a day to commemorate the efforts of relief workers who risk their lives to assist impacted people during times of global disaster and serves as a reminder that these are the people who greatly simplify and secure our way of life.

The United Nations General Assembly established the holiday in honor of the 22 U.N. humanitarian workers who died in the 2003 bombing of the UN office in Baghdad, including Sérgio Vieira de Mello. Sérgio was born and raised in Brazil and has dedicated the last three decades to helping those who have been affected by armed conflict by providing them with relief and making sure that the world is aware of their predicament. He also put forth a lot of effort to put together the document for the declaration of World Humanitarian Day.

Sérgio’s campaign placed a strong emphasis on raising awareness. He did his best to ensure that people living in First World nations and other peaceful regions would acquire a new perspective on war-torn regions, demonstrating that there is more to war-torn regions than just political conflict and the killing of combatants. Sérgio attempted to humanize wars in certain ways by emphasizing the lives of defenseless people who battled to exist while being drawn into battles they had no desire to take part in.

Following this unfortunate event, the Sérgio Vieira Mello Foundation and the de Mello family collaborated closely with the ambassadors of France, Switzerland, Japan, and Brazil at the Geneva and New York tables to guide the proposal to devote a unique day through the General Assembly. The inaugural World Humanitarian Day was formally established in 2009 by the United Nations General Assembly.

It celebrates the valiant humanitarian aid workers like Sérgio who selflessly labor every day to improve the globe for the poor and those whose homes and way of life are endangered by violence. At least 483 members of the relief workforce were abducted, attacked, or killed in 2019, and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 did not make matters any better.

World Humanitarian Day is observed by the UN every year on a specific theme. The goal of the subject is to improve and create awareness for the safety of humanitarian workers as well as for the survival, well-being, and dignity of people affected by disasters. It brings together all the stakeholders in the humanitarian ecosystem.

The Human Race was the theme of one World Humanitarian Day celebration. The subject was to draw attention to the urgent problems caused by the urgency of global climate change. Additionally, it brought attention to the urgent effects of the climate emergency on the world’s most vulnerable citizens and gathered funds for their welfare.

Why World Humanitarian Day Is Important

1. It Highlights The Need For Humanitarian Work

Humanitarian help worker is not a particularly well-liked occupation. Simply put, there will always be a need for humanitarian aid professionals. Due to both natural and man-made calamities, millions of people require humanitarian aid every year. The demand for altruistic humanitarian workers is growing, as World Humanitarian Day serves as a reminder.

2. It’s An International Event

Bringing attention to the necessity of global cooperation on humanitarian concerns is a major component of World Humanitarian Day. Humanitarian aid workers may be sent to assist individuals in need abroad or they may be assisting citizens in their nations. International cooperation is crucial to ensuring the security of individuals who provide humanitarian relief while allowing them to assist the suffering.

3. It Celebrates Unsung Heroes

Some of the bravest and most respectable people alive, humanitarian relief workers risk their lives by going to disaster and conflict zones to assist relieve the suffering of strangers. Despite their excellent job, these employees hardly ever receive public acclaim—sometimes out of concern for their safety. World Humanitarian Day serves as both a somber reminder of the countless lives lost in the service of this heroic cause and a celebration of the workers conducting this vital but frequently hazardous work today.

How To Observe World Humanitarian Day

1. Do some humanitarian work in your community

The goal of humanitarian aid is to lessen suffering and uphold human dignity, hence providing relief does not necessarily require going to a conflict area. You can have a lot of possibilities nearby to carry out that particular action. Consider doing some volunteer work in a facility that helps poor children, nursing homes, hospitals, or homeless shelters.

2. Contact your elected leaders

Let your elected officials know how critical humanitarian situations are to you by calling, emailing, or tweeting. Ask them to make any number of commitments to support your most important humanitarian initiatives in the regions you care about.

3. Donate to a humanitarian organization

Resources are needed by humanitarian organizations throughout the world. It would be amazing if you could give some of your time to one of these organizations. If you are unable to contribute, a monetary contribution would greatly aid the employees’ efforts to aid impoverished communities. Find humanitarian organizations online by performing a search or going directly to the World Humanitarian Day website of the UN.

5 Facts About Why Humanitarian Efforts Are Vital

1. Millions Go To Bed Hungry Every Night

Approximately one in nine people die from hunger each night, according to the 2018 Global Hunger Index.

2. Natural Disasters Affect Millions

204 million people were impacted by natural catastrophes in 2016 in some way.

3. Girls Are Still Not Going To School

In Third World nations, girls are discouraged from enrolling in school; the World Bank estimates that 130 million girls between the ages of 6 and 17 are not.

4. 65.6 Million People Are Displaced

The startling number is still up from 65.3 million in 2015.

5. Clean Water Is A Luxury

More than two billion people live without access to safe drinking water.

World Humanitarian Day FAQS

What does a humanitarian do?

Humanitarians actively work to advance social change and human welfare and have no bias against those who suffer due to their religion, sexual orientation, gender, or place of residence.

A humanitarian’s mission is to assist those in need to save lives, alleviate suffering, and uphold human dignity.

What was the first theme for the Humanitarian Day celebration?

We Are Humanitarian Workers was the first theme for World Humanitarian Day in 2010.

Why do we celebrate World Humanitarian Day?

World Humanitarian Day honors humanitarian workers who have been hurt or died while performing their duties.

World Humanitarian Day Dates

Date	Day	Year
August 19	Friday	2022
August 19	Saturday	2023
August 19	Monday	2024
August 19	Tuesday	2025
August 19	Wednesday	2026

Conclusion

Today we celebrate World Humanitarian Day 2022 with hopes that it will result in making a change in the way healthcare is provided to people facing difficulties. As highlighted above, many organizations work tirelessly to ensure that these people have access to quality care every day. We hope that you join them by contributing donations or working towards an inclusive society where everyone can make their voices heard if they need help at any time of distress. Happy observing.

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