August 12, 2009

World Humanitarian Day

On 19 August and for the first time , the international community will pay tribute to the brave humanitarian workers who devote their time and energy to come to the rescue of innocent victims of war and natural catastrophes across the world.

19 of August, the day six years ago when a bomb attack in Baghdad killed 22 U.N. employees, among them their chief Sergio Vieira de Mello, will become World Humanitarian Day.

The setting up of this special day is in recognition of the importance of their work and is aimed at paying tribute to those dedicated humanitarian workers who lost their lives while helping others. It has been made possible by the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation.

With the help of Brazil, France, Japan, Sweden and Switzerland, the Foundation has succeeded in convincing the U.N. General Assembly last December to declare August 19 World Humanitarian Day.

It was crucial for the Foundation that, at least once a year, the work accomplished by dedicated men and women of good will working in difficult and dangerous places be officially recognized.

Humanitarian workers are active in some of the most hostile areas - Darfur, Somalia and Afghanistan, to name the three places where they are most frequently attacked , facing heat, cold, diseases and danger.

They are killed, wounded, raped and kidnapped. Violent attacks again humanitarian workers are increasing ominously. Last year, 122 were killed. In 1998, the death toll was 36. Over the last ten years, a total of 750 humanitarian workers have been killed on duty.

It is in the spirit of the Foundation that World Humanitarian Day has been created with the aim of perpetuating the humanitarian values of dedicated men and women who, like Sergio Vieira de Mello, made the utmost sacrifice - their life - in pursuing their ideal: helping the most vulnerable.

This memorable day will be celebrated throughout the world. The key ceremony will be held in Geneva, the world humanitarian capital. For more information on the Geneva event, visit the WHD section.