World Humanitarian Day

The World Humanitarian Day is celebrated annually on 19 August, and it pays tribute to all aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service, and rallies support for people affected by crises around the world. The highest numbers of Humanitarian workers are young people. Therefore, we need to highlight the importance of international actions, as the 2030 Agenda, for addressing the causes like climate change, poverty, and inequalities, underpinning humanitarian crises.

In 2021, 460 aid workers were attacked: 140 killed, 203 wounded and 117 kidnapped. Moreover, the 2021 Humanitarian Needs Overview estimated that 20.7 million (67% of the population) people need humanitarian assistance, 12.1 million of whom are estimated to be in acute need, which makes Yemen the largest humanitarian crisis in the world.

Hence, the theme for this year’s World Humanitarian Day is ‘It takes a village’ and it shines a light on the thousands of volunteers, professionals, and crisis-affected people who deliver urgent health care, shelter, food, protection, water, and much more. On this day, for the safety and security of aid workers, we need to partner and advocate for the survival, well-being, and dignity of people affected by these crises.

We, at the World Assembly of Youth (WAY), shall continue to honour those young women and men who have tirelessly improved countless lives, and showcased incredible strength along the way. We also pay special tribute to the real-life heroes who have committed their lives to helping others in the most extreme circumstances throughout the world. Since 1949, we stand strong for human rights and call for a renewed commitment to humanitarian principles by all concerned. On this World Humanitarian Day, let us once again remember the millions of people in need of help around the world, the humanitarians who have lost their lives and loved ones in the course of their work as well as the thousands of aid workers who have refused to be deterred and followed in their footsteps.

Join us in celebrating these heroes, who are even more worthy of our admiration and celebration. #ItTakesAVillage