On August 19th, the world observes World Humanitarian Day, a day dedicated to honoring all humanitarian workers who tirelessly operate in dangerous and sensitive environments, often putting their lives at risk. This day also commemorates those who have lost their lives in service, highlighting the importance of humanitarian work and raising public awareness of ongoing humanitarian issues.
The theme for this year, “Act For Humanity,” marks the twenty-first anniversary of the attack on the United Nations office in Baghdad, Iraq, on August 19, 2003. In 2023 alone, 595 humanitarian workers have been victims of attacks, including 91 kidnappings, 224 injuries, and 280 deaths.
The Italian Cooperation joins the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in emphasizing the relentless and vital work that men and women perform in crisis and emergency situations. The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation reaffirms its commitment to supporting interventions in humanitarian crisis areas, providing relief, protection, and assistance to affected populations, and helping to restore the necessary conditions for resuming development processes.