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World Humanitarian Day

This World Humanitarian Day, join us in taking a stand against human suffering. Let's show our support and make a difference together!
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Cause
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When it is?
August 19
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Country
International
Introduction

Celebrate World Humanitarian Day on August 19 and recognize the amazing people doing incredible things to help those in need around the world. This special day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008 as a way to honor and recognize all those who are making a positive difference for humanity. It is also an opportunity for us all to come together, regardless of race, religion or background, and pay tribute to these inspirational individuals.

History of World Humanitarian Day

World Humanitarian Day Dates

World Humanitarian Day Timeline

<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2008</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Establishment of WHD</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United Nations General Assembly designates August 19 as World Humanitarian Day (WHD) to honor and celebrate humanitarian workers.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2009</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Observation of WHD</div><div class='timeline-text'>World Humanitarian Day is observed for the first time, with events celebrating humanitarians around the globe.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2012</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>"I Was Here" Campaign</div><div class='timeline-text'>A global campaign called "I Was Here", supported by singer Beyoncé, brings public attention to WHD and emphasizes individual power to make a difference in the world.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2014</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>"Humanitarian Heroes" Theme</div><div class='timeline-text'>For WHD, the United Nations spotlights humanitarian workers risking their lives through a campaign themed "Humanitarian Heroes".</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2016</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>"One Humanity" Message</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United Nations uses WHD to spotlight the shared global responsibility of helping each other under the message "One Humanity".</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2018</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>"Not A Target" Campaign Launch</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United Nations launches the "Not A Target" campaign to demand world leaders protect civilians, including humanitarian workers who are often caught in wars or disasters.</div></div></div>

How to Celebrate World Humanitarian Day

<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a charity event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Organize a charity event to raise money and awareness for a humanitarian cause. It could be anything from a bake sale, to a 5K run, to an auction. The possibilities are endless.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer in your community</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Make the day special by volunteering your time towards helping out in your local community. Offer to help out at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter, or help clean up a park or playground.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Educate yourself</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take some time to learn more about humanitarian issues that are affecting the world today and ways you can get involved in making a difference. Read books, watch documentaries, and listen to podcasts.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Donate to a charity</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find an organization that is fighting for a cause you believe in and make a donation of time or money. Every bit helps and it will go towards helping those in need.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Spread the word</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Share what you’ve learned with others by talking about the cause, posting on social media, writing articles, or creating videos. Every small action counts when it comes raising awareness.</p></div></div>

Why World Humanitarian Day is Important

<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It raises awareness</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>World Humanitarian Day serves as a reminder of the millions of people around the world who are affected by natural disasters, conflicts, and poverty. By raising awareness of these issues, we can work together to make a real difference in people's lives.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It encourages action</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>World Humanitarian Day allows us to celebrate the efforts of aid workers around the globe and encourages collective action on humanitarian issues. We can use this day as an opportunity to advocate for those in need and show our support for relief efforts.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It fosters global solidarity</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>World Humanitarian Day promotes a sense of global solidarity among members of different cultures. It helps us recognize that all people have the right to life, liberty, and safety - regardless of where they happen to live. By coming together to recognize our shared humanity, we can make steps towards building peace and understanding between nations.</p></div></div>

5 Incredible Facts for World Humanitarian Day

<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The date commemorates a tragic event</h3><p class='facts-content'>World Humanitarian Day is commemorated on the same day as the bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad in 2003, where 22 humanitarian workers lost their lives, providing a sobering reminder of the dangers faced by humanitarian workers.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>More than half of the world's humanitarians work in just 10 countries</h3><p class='facts-content'>The majority of humanitarian aid workers serve in only a handful of countries. These tend to be places that are deeply affected by armed conflict, such as Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Humanitarian aid workers represent various professions</h3><p class='facts-content'>From medical staff, logistics experts, project managers, to coordinators and many more, humanitarian workers come from diverse professional backgrounds, all working together for one cause: to provide help to those in need.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Women constitute a large portion of humanitarian aid workers</h3><p class='facts-content'>Women make up a significant proportion of those who risk their own lives to save others. They often have the unique ability to reach women and girls in need of aid in places where it would be unacceptable for a man to do so.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Many aid workers are locals</h3><p class='facts-content'>While international attention often focuses on foreign aid workers, the vast majority of humanitarians come from the countries where they work. They have intimate knowledge of the culture, social dynamics, and context of the crisis at hand, positioning them uniquely to provide aid.</p></div></div>

World Humanitarian Day FAQs

When is World Humanitarian Day?

World Humanitarian Day is celebrated on August 19 every year. In 2024 World Humanitarian Day will occur on a Monday.

World Humanitarian Day Dates

Year
Date
Day

2023

Aug 19

Saturday

2024

Aug 19

Monday

2025

Aug 19

Tuesday

2026

Aug 19

Wednesday

2027

Aug 19

Thursday

Cause Holidays