World Humanitarian Day

Tags: Important Days

World Humanitarian Day is celebrated every year on 19th August in honor of those who have sacrificed their entire lives in the service of humanity.

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• Its aim is to spread awareness about the need for humanitarian aid around the world.

• The day is a campaign by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and Humanitarian Partners.

• Theme of World Humanitarian Day 2022 - 'It takes a village'.

Background :

• On 19 August 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killed 22 humanitarian aid workers.

• The special representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, was also killed in the attack.

• In 2008, five years after the attack, the General Assembly passed a resolution to designate 19 August as World Humanitarian Day.

Significance of the day :

• The day serves as a remembrance of the sacrifices made by people for humanitarian causes and needs.

• This year the day aims to draw attention to the selfless service of thousands of volunteers who provide immediate medical care, food, shelter and protection to people during crises.

Need of humanitarian service :

• As per UN estimates, 274 million people will need humanitarian aid and protection in 2022.

• This number has seen a significant increase since 2021 when the figure stood at 235 million, the highest in the past several decades.

• The United Nations and allied organizations aim to help the 183 million people most in need of humanitarian aid in 63 countries, which will require $41 billion.