#ActForHumanity
World Humanitarian Day 2024
This World Humanitarian Day, celebrating humanitarian workers is not enough.
We need those in power to act now to ensure protection of civilians, including humanitarians, in conflict zones.
Act for Humanity
2023 was the deadliest year on record for humanitarians. 2024 could be even worse.
Share this video to help us pressure parties to conflict and world leaders to take action.
We will take our combined voices to the United Nations General Assembly in New York this September to demand they #ActForHumanity.
Video transcript
You committed
To protect civilians in war
To protect humanitarian workers
To support the lifeline they provide
This is the result of your failure
Of a broken promise to humanity
How much more do you need to see
before you act?
Share this video
Demand that world leaders #ActForHumanity
Why are humanitarian workers being killed in…
What do you say to aid being blocked in the areas...
This is being called a failure of humanity and leadership, how do you respond...
Is it not your responsibility as a leader to stop attacks on civilians and aid workers…
Laws are being broken with impunity, is it not your job to…
Why are there rules of war if they are just being ignored...
What do you say to the families of humanitarians who have been...
What about families who are suffering as a result of this conflict…
Why are weapons still being sent to…
Why is there no action by world leaders who should be the ones to...
Don’t you see that people are demanding action…
Humanitarians under attack
Attacks harming humanitarians have become common and can be a violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
In 2023, 280 humanitarians were killed, most of them were national staff working to help their own communities.
By August this year, more than 170 humanitarians had been killed. At least another 150 had been injured or abducted.
THIS WAS AN AMBULANCE
THIS WAS A HOSPITAL
The human toll of ignoring IHL
From looting and obstruction to attacks and kidnapping, threats to humanitarian workers' safety and movement compromise a lifeline to millions of people in need.
This results in ordinary people losing access to essentials such as food, water and medical care.
The destruction of hospitals, schools and other civilian infrastructure devastates communities for generations.
In 2023, global humanitarian operations provided life-saving aid to more than 140 million people.
Despite the challenges, humanitarians persist in striving to help all those in need.
Who is responsible?
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the 1949 Geneva Conventions – part of the foundation of IHL and the global consensus that wars must have limits.
Parties to armed conflict are obligated to uphold IHL.
All States must use their influence to prevent and end IHL violations.
The issue isn’t the absence of rules but the failure to uphold them.
We need political will and courage to ensure respect for IHL.
THIS WAS A SCHOOL
Resources
What is International Humanitarian Law?
Rapid support for aid workers at risk
UN Secretary General’s Report on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict
UN Security Council resolution on the protection of humanitarian personnel
Open Letter to the Member States of the UN General Assembly
2023 Aid Worker Security Report
How can you help?
Add your voice by sharing the campaign video.
Together, we will send a message to parties to conflict and world leaders that they can’t ignore.
We will take our combined voices to the UN General Assembly in New York this September to demand that they #ActForHumanity.
About World Humanitarian Day
World Humanitarian Day (WHD), which takes place every year on 19 August, was designated by the UN General Assembly in 2008 to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq.
WHD aims to recognize aid workers and mobilize people from around the world to advocate for the broader humanitarian cause.
World Humanitarian Day is a campaign by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).