World Humanitarian Day

At High-Level Week 2026, the Ministerial Group for the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel will co-host an event marking one year since the launch of the Declaration . Ministers will highlight tangible actions they are taking that advance the objectives of the Declaration. The event will: Demonstrate the global impact of the Declaration , by sharing practical steps taken to strengthen the protection of humanitarian personnel, while acknowledging remaining gaps and calling for stronger collective action. Highlight the experiences of humanitarian personnel through in-person and video addresses, recognising the ongoing risks to their safety and security. Underscore the role of the Declaration in the multilateral system to promote adherence to international humanitarian law and strengthen accountability . One year on, signatories are turning political commitment into practical actions to strengthen the protection of humanitarian personnel . Over 125 Member and Obs...

   This session builds on previous discussions on Humanitarian Diplomacy series at UNGA 79, and 80, RIHF4 with an emphasis on how states, regional actors and humanitarian organizations can better align diplomatic engagement efforts with humanitarian priorities "on the ground" to secure access, protect civilians , and uphold humanitarian commitments across contexts—particularly in the Middle East and neighboring regions . Related Sites and Documents:  More Information . Watch humanitarian Diplomacy in Practice: Diplomacy as Enablers of Humanitarian Action! 01:26:46 Meetings & Events

Three years into the conflict, Gaza's humanitarian crisis remains catastrophic despite the ceasefire of 10 October 2025. The humanitarian situation facing Palestinian children remains deeply alarming. To deliver on the humanitarian promises of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 towards children in Gaza and safeguard the future of children in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, urgent action is needed to protect Palestinian children and address the deepening humanitarian crisis across the oPt. International law, including international humanitarian law (IHL) must be respected, including protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to ensure safe and unimpeded humanitarian access. Additionally, this entails addressing the specific vulnerabilities of children and facilitating safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access to meet their essential needs. Those who commit violations of IHL must be held accountable. The discussion aims to: Draw urgent attention to the...

High-Level Side Event on the subject of Religions, Traditions, Cultures and Reproductive Health: Transformative Approaches, Innovative Transnational Partnerships, for more resilient health systems and the achievement of the SDGs in a complex humanitarian and security context. Related Sites and Documents:  Concept Note . Watch the Religions, Traditions, Cultures and Reproductive Health: Transformative Approaches, Innovative Transnational Partnerships, for more resilient health systems and the achievement of the SDGs in a complex humanitarian and security context! 00:49:19 Meetings & Events

The Ministerial-level flagship event will be cohosted by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the European Union and OCHA. It will take stock of what has been achieved towards the objective of mobilizing US$23 billion to reach the 87 million people facing the most severe and life-threatening humanitarian needs within the broader response set out in the 2026 Global Humanitarian Overview , which targets 135 million people worldwide. The event is a moment of recognition, accountability and action, built around one urgent question: what will it take to reach the 87 million people hardest hit by crisis—and who can make it happen? It will recognize the Member States, refugee-hosting countries, regional partners, private sector and philanthropists, and others supporting the humanitarian response; show (not tell), through data, league tables and human testimony, what funding has delivered — and what the gap is costing; and mobilize commitments for the final quarter of 2026. The message is clear: re...

The event will contribute to raising awareness and fostering greater understanding among United Nations Member States and the wider international community regarding their role and responsibility in humanitarian diplomacy and the protection of civilians and aid workers in conflict . The high-level event , organized by the European Union and Ireland, and co-sponsored by the African Union, Brazil, Jordan will focus on the following issues:  Challenges around respect for IHL and principled humanitarian access in the current geopolitical context The case for diplomatic and political tools to address the current humanitarian challenges Examples from the ground: humanitarian diplomacy and the safeguarding of IHL ; examples on engaging parties to conflicts, including non-state armed groups, de facto authorities, and regional actors; drawing in particular on the experiences made in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Lebanon. Developments within the UN80 process and the Huma...

Matthew Hollingworth, WFP Assistant Executive Director for Programme Operations. Following AED Hollingworth's mission to South Sudan, he will provide the latest insights into the dire circumstances on the ground as humanitarian needs continue to outpace resources, while conflict, access, the lean season, and the impacts from El Nino and the Middle East conflict continue to reverberate in the country. AED Hollingworth may also answer questions on other matters of relevance to WFP's mandate. Watch the WFP - Press Briefing: AED Hollingworth's mission to South Sudan! 00:18:20 Press Conferences

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...

Wreath-laying by the Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. António Guterres in front of the plaque honouring those who lost their lives in Baghdad, followed by a moment of silence. The commemoration of the bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad (Iraq) will be observed with a brief ceremony organized by the UN Staff Union's Standing Committee on the Security and Independence of the International Civil Service . The ceremony also marks the observance of World Humanitarian Day designated by the General Assembly in 2008 to coincide with the date of the bombing in Baghdad. The Day also honours humanitarian aid workers who have been killed or injured in the course of their work. Confirmed attending survivors (in-person):Mr. Salim Lone, the spokesperson in Baghdad for Mr. Sérgio Vieira de Mello, the head of the UN mission in Iraq. Mr. Lone currently writes columns for a newspapers, including The New York Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post, The Sunday Nation (Kenya), and publ...

   Lowering of the UN Flag to half mast in observance of World Humanitarian Day 2026 , and in honour of humanitarian personnel who have lost their lives. Led by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) , the 2026 campaign theme under #ActForHumanity spotlights the grave dangers aid workers face—particularly from weaponized drones—and shares the personal stories of fallen humanitarians through their families. Watch the Lowering of the UN Flag to half mast in observance of World Humanitarian Day 2026, and in honour of humanitarian personnel who have lost their lives Meetings & Events

Annual observance of World Humanitarian Day at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland. 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 General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 19 August as World Humanitarian Day (WHD). Since then, WHD has become OCHA's annual flagship campaign. 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, we call for an end to the attacks on humanitarians and civilians and impunity under International Humanitarian Law. We urge those in power to #ActForHumanity. Related Sites and Documents:  World Humanitarian Day 2026 . Watch the World Humanitarian Day 2026 - UN Geneva Commemorat...

Press Conference by María José Torres Macho, UN Resident Coordinator in Colombia, on the humanitarian situation in the country. She briefed reporters virtually from Bogota. Watch María José Torres Macho (UN Resident Coordinator in Colombia) on the humanitarian situation in the country - Press Conference! 00:14:37 Press Conferences

Guest: Olga Cherevko, Spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Afghanistan. She will brief reporters virtually on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. Highlights: - Afghanistan - Lebanon - Occupied Palestinian Territory - Venezuela Related Sites and Documents:  Noon briefing highlights Watch the Daily Press Briefing by the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General. Guest: Olga Cherevko (OCHA) on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan! Live Press Conferences

Ministerial-level Member States Virtual Briefing on the humanitarian response to the earthquakes in Venezuela. Chairperson: Mr. Indrika Ratwatte, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator a.i. Humanitarian Situation and Response Update • H.E. Mr. Yván Gil Pinto, Minister of People's Power for Foreign Affairs, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela [TBC] • Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, and Emergency Relief Coordinator • H.E. Ms. Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management; • H.E. Mr. Musa Kulaklikaya, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Türkiye • H.E. Mr. Wolnei Barreiros Wolff, Vice Minister of Civil Protection and Defence, Ministry of Integration and Regional Development, Brazil • Mr. Ryan Shrum, Senior Bureau Official, Bureau of Disaster and Humanitarian Response, United States • Mr. Gianluca Rampolla, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Venez...

  2026 ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment - Economic and Social Council, 32nd Plenary Meeting Related Sites and Documents:  Learn more . Watch the 2026 ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment - Economic and Social Council, 32nd Plenary Meeting! 02:15:46 Economic and Social Council