World Humanitarian Day

Remarks to the press by Carl Skau, Acting Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), following his mission to Sudan Watch the Press Conference: Carl Skau (World Food Program) following his mission to Sudan! Press Conferences =

Virtual press briefing by Matthew Hollingworth, Assistant Executive Director for Programme Operations, World Food Programme from Juba on his mission to South Sudan. Watch the press Conference: Matthew Hollingworth (World Food Program) on his mission to South Sudan! Press Conferences

OCHA Member States Briefing on the launch of the Nepal Flash Appeal. Watch the OCHA Member States Briefing on the launch of the Nepal Flash Appeal! Meetings & Events

  How did it feel when we reached for the stars? When we cured the incurable? When we took steps together toward a brighter future? Outlaw for all time. When human potential made us all proud. And now, how does it feel having lost our way? Now that human ingenuity turned against us. Now that hospitals and schools are being targeted, how does it feel to see that laws designed to protect us are being brazenly disregarded? It is time to renew our promise. Let's make protecting each other our greatest achievement,

When the worst happens and lives are at risk, the people who come to help should never be targets. In 2025 alone, 350 aid workers were killed, the second-highest annual toll ever recorded. Behind every number is a family whose world has been torn apart. From armed drones to emerging technologies, the nature of war is changing. Our humanity cannot. When misused, these technologies put civilians and humanitarians in even greater danger. Humanitarians continue to be killed, injured, detained and blocked from reaching people in need. The laws exist. The commitments exist. What is missing is consequence. Concern is not protection. Condemnation is not accountability. Those with power and influence must act. Protect civilians and humanitarians. Enable humanitarian access. Investigate violations. Hold perpetrators to account. The time for concern is over. The time for consequence is now. How can you help? We are not powerless. People everywhere must demand protection – and reject excuses when ...

Despite repeated promises from the international community, humanitarians continue to come under attack, with over 1,000 aid workers killed in the past three years alone. On World Humanitarian Day , 19 August, join our call to end these violations and the impunity that allows them. #ActForHumanity Background On 19 August 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killed 22 humanitarian aid workers, including the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Five years later, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 19 August as World Humanitarian Day (WHD). Each year, WHD focuses on a theme, bringing together partners from across the humanitarian system to advocate for the survival, well-being and dignity of people affected by crises, and for the safety and security of aid workers. This year, the demand is clear:  act early before warning signs become casualty lists.  Stop the violence. Stop the...