World Humanitarian Day, 19 August: One Humanity

World Humanitarian Day (WHD) is marked every year on 19 August to pay tribute to aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service, and to mobilize people to advocate for a more humane world. T...

World Humanitarian Day (WHD) is marked every year on 19 August to pay tribute to aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service, and to mobilize people to advocate for a more humane world. The day was designated by the United Nation’s General Assembly seven years.

On this World Humanitarian Day, the UN and its partners are calling for global solidarity with the more than 130 million people around the world who need humanitarian assistance to survive. This year’s World Humanitarian Day theme is ‘One Humanity’ is aimed at highlighting how the world united in Istanbul for the World Humanitarian Summit earlier this year, and made commitments to support people affected by crisis and ensure that aid workers can safely and more effectively deliver to those in need.

To mark 19 August, various events will be held worldwide to honor the work of aid workers and to celebrate the theme of ‘One Humanity’, featuring digital campaigns focusing on raising awareness, photo exhibitions, film screenings on the issue of those affected by conflict and disaster, and other theme events.

“World Humanitarian Day is an annual reminder of the need to act to alleviate the suffering. It is also an occasion to honour the humanitarian workers and volunteers toiling on the frontlines of crises. I pay tribute to these dedicated women and men who brave danger to help others at far greater risk.” — UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon