International Days and Observances
World Humanitarian Day
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19 August
World Humanitarian Day is a time to recognize those who face danger and adversity in order to help others.
World Humanitarian Day is also an opportunity to celebrate the spirit that inspires humanitarian work around the globe.
2022
The Day is celebrated by sharing stories
on a designated theme using hashtags.
The 2022 theme hashtag is
"#ItTakesAVillage"
This 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. In 2009, the United Nations General Assembly formalized the day as World Humanitarian Day (WHD).
Each year, WHD focuses on a theme, bringing together partners from across the humanitarian system to advocate for the survival, well-being and dignity of people affected by crises, and for the safety and security of aid workers.
Some of the international observances that are related to this day include:
- World Refugee Day (20 June)
- International Day of Peace (21 September)
- International Day for Disaster Reduction ((13 October)
- World Science Day for Peace and Development (10 November)
- International Human Solidarity Day (20 December)
- World Volunteers Day (5 December)
GDRC has been working on themes related to this international day/observance, in the Disaster Risk Reduction section of its programme on Urban Environmental Management.
GDRC therefore reaffirms its committment to uphold the objectives of the World Humanitarian Day, and work towards better understanding of, and action on, highliting the criticality of good humanitarian programmes to reduce the risks from conflicts and disasters that we face.
