World Humanitarian Day

While there’s no specific way to celebrate or pay your respects, previous years have seen awareness raised for innocent civilians in war-afflicted countries, front line pandemic workers, and female humanitarians who are still out there making a difference to those who need it most.

How Did World Humanitarian Day Start?

In 2003, Baghdad’s United Nations headquarters were bombed, resulting in the deaths of 22 people including UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio Vieira de Mello. August 19th was officially named World Humanitarian Day in 2009 to pay tribute to those who lost and continue to lose their lives in service.

While this day has a sobering reason for its creation, it also serves as a teachable moment for others, and an opportunity for us all to do our part in raising awareness.

How Can People Help to Raise Awareness?

In previous years, individuals and organisations alike have used their social media platforms to participate in spreading the word to others. And while there’s no one set way of showing your appreciation, many organisations like to encourage their people to donate, or engage in charitable fundraising ideas.

To stay in line with the issues humanitarians care deeply about, charitable donations should be made to organisations in the following areas:

• Natural disaster support
• Climate change causes
• Access to education in poverty-stricken areas
• World hunger charities
• Charities combating all forms of inequality

Aside from encouraging charitable work, sharing posts that express gratitude and appreciation for these remarkable people is also something commonly done during World Humanitarian Day.

Small Changes are Still Important Ones

While this day may have broad reach and scope, what truly matters is that you’re looking for ways to make life better for those around you.

Making a difference in the world doesn’t necessarily mean you have to do something drastic and extreme. Sometimes, a good humanitarian is the person who asks their colleagues and friends if they’re okay, and if not, how they can help to make them feel better.

For organisations, this can be ensuring that your people feel appreciated and valued through mental health and wellbeing support. For individuals, this can be being brave enough to speak up when you or others aren’t doing well and need help.

Celebrating the Humanitarians in your Team

Caring for others and looking out for the needs of everyone can feel like a thankless task at times. By using this incredible day as an opportunity to reward people who always lead with kindness, you can play a huge part in creating a more positive, supportive, and driven organisational culture.

While these small steps may not feel like they change the world, this positive environment can lead the way towards bigger and better changes in the future.