SINCE 2009, the United Nations has designated August 19 as World Humanitarian Day, in memory of those who have dedicated their lives to helping those trapped in difficult situations around the world.
On August 19, 2003 a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killed 22 people, including the chief humanitarian in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. The date has been a day to commemorate humanitarian, aid and health workers on frontlines.
In this second year of the pandemic, with the threat from climate change seemingly getting worse and worse, this year's Humanitarian Day is themed around the human race.
The UN urges social media users to run, ride, swim, walk or any activity of their choice for a total of 100 minutes between August 16 and 31 to express solidarity with vulnerable people and to tell world leaders to deliver on their decade-old pledge of spending US$100 billion (RM424 billion) annually for climate mitigation and adaptation in developing countries.
The climate emergency is a humanitarian crisis.
— United Nations (@UN) August 16, 2021
Ahead of next week's #WorldHumanitarianDay, @UNOCHA is urging everyone to show solidarity with people most affected by the climate crisis.
Join #TheHumanRace: https://t.co/agF7ZANTU8
Humanitarians are real-life #heroes who help those in need despite the risks. #Volunteers are often among them, saving lives and playing a key part in delivering assistance on the front line.
— UN Volunteers (@UNVolunteers) August 17, 2021
We thank each and every one of them. #WorldHumanitarianDay pic.twitter.com/ZFJWSuIo3R
What does it take to reach 100 million people with food assistance every year?
— World Food Programme (@WFP) August 14, 2021
It all starts with the commitment, courage, and determination of @WFP's 20,000 staff, who are saving lives in times of conflict and changing lives in times of peace.? #WorldHumanitarianDay #WHD2021 pic.twitter.com/0YMMX8BddZ
Climate-related disasters, like floods, droughts & heat waves, have doubled in the past 20 years, affecting people in developing countries the most.
— UN Environment Programme (@UNEP) August 13, 2021
For #WorldHumanitarianDay, let’s race to place their needs front and centre.
Join #TheHumanRace. https://t.co/Ny3JWNZImw pic.twitter.com/I93YQY1JQA
Various UN agencies play their part spreading humanitarian works for the betterment of people around the world, but ultimately it is up to the governments of the world to address a crisis the scale of climate change that affects us all. Take today and the days ahead to educate yourself about what you can do to contribute positively. – The Vibes, August 19, 2021
