World Humanitarian Day 2025

World Humanitarian Day (WHD), which takes place every year on 19 August, was designated by the UN General Assembly in 2008 to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the
UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq. Designed to recognize humanitarian workers, WHD has evolved to highlight different areas related to humanitarian action, mobilising people from around the world to advocate for the broader humanitarian cause.

This Year's Campaign: #ActForHumanity

One year ago, the world urged leaders to end the killing of humanitarian workers. They listened – then looked away.
2024 became the deadliest year on record; 2025 is on track to be worse.
We repeat this grim line every year – and fear it no longer shocks.
Killing aid workers has become normalized, rarely making headlines.
Their work – meant only to save lives – is underfunded, overstretched and under attack.

The promise of protection is broken:

Violations of international humanitarian law continue; every red line crossed meets impunity, indifference and hypocrisy.
Yet humanitarians still head toward gunfire, checkpoints and danger.
They do not give up – and we must not give up on them.
This World Humanitarian Day we renew our call – louder, sharper, uncompromising:
Respect the rules of war.
Protect those who protect humanity.
End impunity – or stand condemned by history.

The world is watching.
#ActForHumanity – now.

VOICE Participation

As in previous years, VOICE will actively participate in the #ActForHumanity campaign. We will leverage our communication channels to amplify campaign messages and support humanitarian partners. Additionally, we will share a dedicated toolkit to help VOICE members engage in the campaign.

More information will follow in due time.