World Humanitarian Day

On December 11^th, 2008, the General Assembly of United Nations decided by the resolution 63/139 "to designate 19 August as World Humanitarian Day in order to contribute to increasing public awareness about humanitarian assistance activites worldwide and the importance of international cooperation in this regard, as well as to honour all humanitarian and United Nations and associated personnel who have worked in the promotion of the humanitarian cause and those who have lost their lives in the cause of duty, and invites all Member States and the entities of United Nations system, within existing resources, as well as other international organizations and non-governmental organizations, to observe it annually in appropriate manner"

On August 19, 2003, a bomb attack was perpetrated against theUnited Nations Office in Iraq killing 22 people. From the early age of humanitarian aid to the present, heavy losses are deplored in the function of humanitarian workers. Three years ago, the World Humanitarian day was born taking symbolically the date of August 19th.

We wish a happy day to humanitarian workers wherever they are today,to these men and women committed to improving the lives of other men and women. A great day to our entire team and a  special thought to Aurélie currently in India and our coordinator Buddhima in Sri Lanka, and to our partners Desire India, Mukti for Social Development and Mukti-India.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL of UN -- MESSAGE ON WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY 19 August 2011

There is never a year without humanitarian crises. And wherever there are people in need, there are people who help them – men and women coming together to ease suffering and bring hope. From Japan to Sudan, from Pakistan to the Horn of Africa, aid workers help people who have lost their homes, loved ones and sources of income.

These humanitarians often brave great danger, far from home. They work long hours, in the most difficult conditions. Their efforts save lives in conflict and natural disaster. They also draw the world closer together by reminding us that we are one family, sharing the same dreams for a peaceful planet, where all people can live in safety, and with dignity.

On World Humanitarian Day, we honour these aid workers and thank them for their dedication. And we pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice – in Afghanistan, Haiti and beyond. Too many have died, or suffered their own loss, in the course of duty. We pledge to do all we can to ensure the world’s humanitarians are kept safe to do their essential work.

This is also a day to examine our own lives and consider what more we can do to help -- to reach out to people enduring conflict, disaster and hardship. Let those we honour today inspire us to start our own journey to make the world a better place and bring our human family more closely together.

More info about the world humanitarian day? 

http://www.un.org/en/events/humanitarianday/

Official video

http://www.un.org/fr/events/humanitarianday/psa.shtml