World Humanitarian Day Pays Tribute to Aid Workers Who Risk Their Lives to Save Others

During a solemn ceremony to mark World Humanitarian Day, the United Nations paid homage to the thousands of humanitarian workers who risk their lives every day to ease the suffering of millions of the world’s most vulnerable people.

The commemoration began with a flower and wreath laying ceremony to honor those who have fallen in the line of duty and to lend support to the survivors and families of the victims who continue to mourn their loss.

The U.N. General Assembly designated August 19 World Humanitarian Day in 2008 to commemorate the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq. Among the 22 aid workers killed that day was U.N. mission chief Sergio Vieira di Mello.

The director at the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Ramesh Rajasingham, said memories of that day linger 19 years after the event.

“I remember my colleague whose casket I had to accompany across America back to her family,” said Rajasingham. “They were inconsolable as they gathered around her casket and hugged it. It is that same memory that is indelibly etched in my mind that help us to better understand what all the families and friends of all those colleagues who have been killed in the line of duty have had to go through, including the 141 aid workers killed in 2021.”

He said all but two of those killed were national aid workers who carry most of the risk to deliver life-saving assistance.

Director-General of the U.N. Office in Geneva Tatiana Valovaya said the number of aid workers who are victims of attacks across the world continues to grow every year. In addition to those killed last year, she says 203 were wounded, and 117 kidnapped.

“This happens in South Sudan, Afghanistan, Syria, Mali, and other places. Humanitarian workers have been targeted for what they do—that is delivering urgent health care, shelter, food, protection, and water, and supporting populations in need of humanitarian assistance. This is unacceptable.”

Michelle Bachelet stands down as high commissioner for human rights at the end of the month. She said she has been dismayed by the growing polarization and divisive rhetoric and behavior during her four-year tenure.

“But I have also been encouraged by the human rights defenders, humanitarian workers and community members I have met, who, despite many obstacles, have realized that by joining forces together they can make a difference. They consistently remind me that solidarity is the very essence of our humanity.”

Bachelet said her message is needed today more than ever. She added that the best way to pay tribute to the legacy of fallen colleagues is by living up to their humanitarian example.