It Takes a Village
This Friday is World Humanitarian Day.
In 2003 on 19th August, 22 humanitarian workers were killed in a bomb attack at the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq.
In 2008, five years later, the UN General Assembly World declared 19th August as World Humanitarian Day—a day to remember the many aid workers who have been killed or injured while helping others. The day is also a time to honour all humanitarian workers around the world who continue to sacrifice their safety to help those who are most in need.
According to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), over 460 aid workers were killed, injured or kidnapped just last year. This year already the number has reached 168.
Aid workers continue to work in dangerous environments because the humanitarian needs are unceasing.
World Humanitarian Day is an opportunity to learn more about the many thousands of volunteers, professionals and the crisis-affected people themselves who are tirelessly working to provide everyday essentials. Essentials, taken for granted by many of us, like fresh water, healthcare, shelter and food are provided often at great risk to the workers.
Inspired by the saying, “It takes a village”, this year’s World Humanitarian Day is using this theme—#ItTakesAVillage—to centre on the idea that humanitarian work is done collectively by a group of workers coming together to help those most vulnerable.
World Humanitarian Day 2022 is a chance to show our support. UNOCHA encourages us all to follow #ItTakesAVillage on social media. Engaging with the posts can start conversations and raise awareness about the many humanitarian crises around the world and the people risking their lives to help.
For more information https://www.worldhumanitarianday.org
Sources:
World Humanitarian Day. https://www.un.org/en/observances/humanitarian-day
More than 140 aid workers killed in 2021 as crises soar worldwide. https://www.unocha.org/story/more-140-aid-workers-killed-2021-crises-soar-worldwide
