World Humanitarian Day 2024: #ActForHumanity

Today, on August 19, we join the humanitarian community in commemorating World Humanitarian Day (WHD) to raise awareness about crisis-affected communities and pay tribute to aid workers who support them. WHD was designated in memory of the 19 August 2003 bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, which killed 22 people. The United Nations General Assembly formalised this day in 2009 to pay tribute to humanitarian efforts worldwide.

In recent years, there has been an alarming increase in attacks on humanitarian workers and civilians, alongside a troubling trend of impunity for these violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The statistics are sobering: 2023 was the deadliest year on record for humanitarian workers, and 2024 is on track to be even worse. This stark reality underscores a glaring truth: the world is failing those who serve and protect the most vulnerable.

This is why today, we call on global leaders to take decisive action to end these violations. It is imperative that Member States and non-state actors uphold the principles of IHL to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian workers and civilians. Attacks on humanitarian workers, assets, and civilians, as well as on civilian infrastructure, must cease immediately.

VOICE, along with 412 humanitarian and POC organizations signed on to the IASC letter to the Member States of the General Assembly calling for the protection of civilians and staff. Please find here the letter 

VOICE President, Pauline Chetkuti, released a video message calling on the EU and Member States to respect IHL and do more to safeguard and protect aid workers especially those on the front lines, local and national actors. Please click here to watch the video

Together, we can make a difference and ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in need, no matter the obstacles. On this World Humanitarian Day, let us all #ActForHumanity.

#WorldHumanitarianDay #WHD2024 #NotATarget