World Humanitarian Day
World Humanitarian Day is an internationally recognized event dedicated to humanitarian personnel, as well as to those who have dedicated their entire lives to humanitarian causes. The United Nations General Assembly designated the day and set August 19 as World Humanitarian Day.
Let’s delve into the historical significance of this day and how you can celebrate it.
History and Background
World Humanitarian Day is observed annually to remember the contributions of Sergio Vieira de Mello. Sergio was a Brazilian UN diplomat who worked for over three decades for UN humanitarian and political causes. Sergio died on August 19 in the Canal Hotel bombing in Iraq. Sergio’s death was widely mourned and so, the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation drafted a resolution through the General Assembly to commemorate humanitarian contributions.
Commemoration
The Sérgio Vieira de Mello Foundation, (founded shortly after the untimely demise of Sergio), is a nonprofit organization promoting a dialogue of peaceful resolution of conflict. They work closely with the governments, the UN, and various international and non-governmental organizations. The Foundation runs a campaign every year in commemoration of Sergio.
Some Humanitarian Facts You Need to Know
Humanitarian efforts focus on promoting human welfare in all areas of life, from food to education to safety. Here are some facts that indicate the importance of humanitarian efforts.
- Millions of people go to bed hungry every night.
- There are more than 60 million people are currently being/are displaced.
- Natural disasters affect over 200 million people.
- Over 130 million girls don’t go to school.
What Can You Do on World Humanitarian Day?
Regardless of where we live, we’ll always have people around us who need help. Helping them is the best way to celebrate this day. Here are a few things you can do to observe and celebrate World Humanitarian Day.
Do Humanitarian Work in Your Community
Look for people in your area who need help. They could be homeless people on the streets or people living in slums or outskirts who don’t have proper access to food, education, healthcare, and other basic amenities. Help them and make their lives better.
Donate to a Humanitarian Organization
If you don’t have enough time to go out and help someone, you can help them from your home by donating to a humanitarian organization. Many organizations exist in the world, with the Sérgio Vieira de Mello Foundation being a popular example. You can donate money to them to help them fight humanitarian issues.
Join a Humanitarian Organization
If you have the time and energy to fight humanitarian issues, you can join a humanitarian organization. You don’t have to leave your current work and life to do so. Most organizations allow you to spend a few hours every week, preferable on the weekend.
Final Thoughts
With the world fighting a significant humanitarian crisis, World Humanitarian Day is important for everyone. There are several steps you can take to celebrate the day. Find ways to help those in need and improve their lives, and join charity organizations to create a global impact with your efforts.
