The United Nations General Assembly formalized the day as World Humanitarian Day in 2009. The Day was designated in memory of the 19 August 2003 bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killing 22 people, including the chief humanitarian in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello.

FORUM: World Humanitarian Day 2020; #RealLifeHeroes

Strategic priorities of the Global Humanitarian Response Plan to COVID-19

The Global HRP is articulated around three strategic priorities:

* Contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and decrease morbidity and mortality.

* Decrease the deterioration of human assets and rights, social cohesion and livelihoods.

* Protect, assist and advocate for refugees, internally displaced people, migrants and host communities particularly vulnerable to the pandemic.

Learn more about the Global Humanitarian Response Plan.

Statement by the United Nations Secretary-General on World Humanitarian Day 2020, August 19.

On World Humanitarian Day we honour the work of humanitarians who overcome huge challenges to save and improve the lives of millions of people.

These real-life heroes are doing extraordinary things in extraordinary times to help women, men and children whose lives are upended by crises.

This year, humanitarian workers are stretched like never before.

They are responding to the global crisis of COVID-19, and with it the massive increase in humanitarian needs from the fallout of the pandemic.

The loss of jobs, education, food, water and safety is pushing millions more to the brink.

Movement restrictions to slow the spread of the virus have meant that communities, civil society and local organizations – as so often before – are the very first responders.

This year, we celebrate them: people who are often in need themselves, like refugees helping host communities, local health workers who care for the sick and vaccinate children, and humanitarians who negotiate access in areas of conflict to bring food, water and medicine.

They are the unsung heroes of the pandemic response – and they all too often risk their own lives to save the lives of others.

Today, join me in renewing our appreciation and support for the brave humanitarians, health workers and first responders who show solidarity and humanity in this time of unprecedented need.

António Guterres

Statement by the United Nations General Assembly President on World Humanitarian Day 2020, August 19.

On this World Humanitarian Day, I want to salute the real-world heroes - the courageous women and men who deliver life-saving support like shelter assistance and livelihoods, essential health, food and water, hygiene and sanitation to the most vulnerable.

As humanitarians and front-line workers, they support individuals and communities in the fight against poverty, injustice and hopelessness, while safeguarding fundamental human rights of populations displaced by war and conflict.

They are “the first to respond and the last to leave” accepting the risks of being threatened, injured, kidnapped and killed.

Violence against aid workers has become a major concern for most humanitarian agencies. At the same time, compliance with international humanitarian law is deteriorating. In 2019, 483 attacks were committed against aid workers. These are the highest numbers ever recorded.

The global need for humanitarian aid remains huge. Many humanitarian crises are ongoing or worsening - whether in conflict situations or due to natural disasters.

In 2020, despite the largest-ever funding shortfall, humanitarian workers have contended with COVID-19, as well as a massive spike in humanitarian needs in 63 countries. As the world fights the pandemic, we honour those who have lost their lives in humanitarian service.

The recent tragedy in Lebanon is an example of the ever-increasing need for humanitarian assistance and support, especially to the most vulnerable. The horrific images from Beirut are a constant reminder that humanitarian assistance must remain at the core of our global response mechanisms.

Furthermore, women, young girls and children remain the most vulnerable groups, and must always be prioritized in any development assistance. We must use this occasion to reflect on how to best work together to save the world from actions that put all of us at the precipice of devastation.

Today, we shine a light on all humanitarians who continue to help vulnerable populations in the most extreme circumstances.

Thank you again for your tireless efforts and your humanity.

You are our real-life heroes!

Tijjani Muhammad-Bande

CAMPAIGN:

A global campaign that celebrates humanitarians - a “thank you” to the people who have committed their lives to helping others

On August 19, the eleventh year that we have marked World Humanitarian Day, we are paying special tribute to the real-life heroes who have committed their lives to helping others in the most extreme circumstances throughout the world.

The campaign focuses on what drives humanitarians to continue to save and protect lives despite conflict, insecurity, lack of access and risks linked to COVID-19. This year, COVID-19 has been the biggest challenge to humanitarian operations around the world. The lack of access and restrictions placed by Governments around the world has resulted in communities, civil society and local NGOs being the frontline of the response. Therefore, the campaign presents the inspiring personal stories of humanitarians who are treating and preventing COVID-19, providing food to vulnerable people in need, providing safe spaces for women and girls in lockdown; delivering babies; fighting locusts and running refugee camps, all amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo gallery

See more humanitarian heroes on the COVID-19 pandemic front lines.