World Humanitarian Day

The CERF@20 campaign marks the 20th anniversary (in 2025) of the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), a global fund providing rapid funding for life-saving aid in crises, celebrating its impact, showcasing achievements in climate action and anticipatory aid, and launching a High-Level Pledging Event to secure increased funding for future humanitarian needs , especially as crises grow. It highlights CERF's catalytic role in getting money to people before disasters strike and in under-resourced emergencies. Key Aspects Celebration & Advocacy : Commemorating two decades of CERF's existence (established in 2005) and advocating for sustained or increased donor support. High-Level Pledging Event : A key part of the campaign, this UN event aims to mobilize financial resources for CERF to address growing humanitarian needs. Focus on Innovation : Highlighting CERF's work in areas like anticipatory action (acting before a crisis) and climate action, including the...

Hurricane Melissa , one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the Atlantic, left a trail of destruction across the northern Caribbean. The Category 5 hurricane caused widespread loss of life, damage to infrastructure, and large-scale displacement across Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica. Watch the Member States Briefing on the Humanitarian Response to Hurricane Melissa! Live Meetings & Events

    Watcb the Informal briefing by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)! Meetings & Events

Press conference by Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, on Humanitarian Reform. Watch the Tom Fletcher (OCHA) on Humanitarian Reform – Press Conference! Press Conferences

A humanitarian emergency begins when health systems break down. When hospitals are damaged, medicines run out or outbreaks spread unchecked, communities face life threatening risks. In those moments, humanitarian response steps in, bringing care, resources and hope when it matters most. And together with partners, the World Health Organization (WHO) who works to protect health, reduce suffering and support recovery. Because every act of care helps rebuild what crisis has broken.

In less than two years, Gaza has been turned to rubble. Homes, schools, hospitals, markets – the systems that keep cities alive – now destroyed. Entire towns have been flattened. International law is clear: civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected. Those with power and influence: #ActForHumanity.

Starvation must NOT be used as a tactic of war. It is prohibited under international humanitarian law. The destruction of agricultural land leads to severe food shortages, acute hunger, malnutrition and long-term economic hardships. It devastates the livelihoods of rural communities, forces people from their land and exacerbates food insecurity in war zones. This World Humanitarian Day , join us in urging those with power and influence to protect farms and food sources. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #ActForHumanity , #19 August ; #WorldHumanitarianDay .