Humanitarian Aid Day 19 August. World Humanitarian Day

world day humanitarian aid(World Humanitarian Day) proclaimed General Assembly and United Nations on 11 December 2008 (Resolution A/RES/63/139). Celebrated on 19 August. On this day in 2003, an explosion at the UN headquarters in Baghdad killed 22 people. Among them was the death of a prominent UN figure, Sergio Vieira de Mello.

As stated in a General Assembly resolution, World Humanitarian Day aims to help raise public awareness of humanitarian action around the world and the importance of international cooperation in this regard, and also to pay tribute to all humanitarian personnel, including United Nations and associated personnel, who have contributed to the realization of humanitarian ideals and to those who have given their lives in the line of duty...

In his message on the occasion of the proclamation of World Humanitarian Day, the UN Secretary-General says the day is meant to be a reminder of people in need and the need to ensure that they get the help they deserve.

Humanitarian assistance is based on such fundamental principles as humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. Humanitarian aid is provided daily. It is free of charge and based on humanity and impartiality. This work is considered one of the most merciful and at the same time dangerous in the world.
Humanitarian workers strive to provide life-saving assistance and long-term rehabilitation to all those affected by disasters, regardless of their place of residence, nationality, social class, religion, gender, race, etc.
Humanitarian workers must be respected and have access to those in need. Nowadays, more and more people are becoming humanitarian workers. To them, as well as to all those involved in providing such assistance and to those who died while providing it, an international holiday is dedicated.

Humanitarian aid is provided daily. It is free of charge and based on humanity and impartiality. This work is considered one of the most merciful and at the same time dangerous in the world. Now society has become faster and more efficient in responding to the results of natural disasters, accidents and catastrophes, regardless of their cause ( human factor or technogenic), and also learned how to predict them. This is due to humanitarian workers who, despite the risks and risks to their lives, strive to help those in need, regardless of race, creed, language and nationality.

Nowadays, more and more people are becoming humanitarian workers. To them, as well as to all those involved in providing such assistance and to those who died while providing it, an international holiday is dedicated.

When they celebrate

Resolution of the UN General Assembly No. A/RES/63/139 of December 11, 2008 determined the date of World Humanitarian Day - August 19. In 2019, it is celebrated for the 11th time.

Who is celebrating

The event is celebrated by those who are related to the provision of humanitarian assistance in any of its manifestations. And it doesn't matter who it is: an employee of the Ministry of Emergency Situations or an ordinary citizen.

History and traditions of the holiday

August 19, 2003 in Baghdad (Iraq) as a result of an explosion at the UN headquarters, 22 people were killed, including a well-known Brazilian diplomat - Sergio Vieira de Mello. Paying tribute to the memory of the deceased and all those who did not spare their lives to support other people, the World Humanitarian Day was established.

Since 2010, on August 19, the award named after the deceased UN employee is awarded for a significant contribution to conflict resolution. Every year the holiday is dedicated to new topic, but the goal is always the same - to help people in need, to inform society about humanitarian activities and the need for cooperation in providing them.

Russia is recognized as the world leader in providing gratuitous assistance. Over the past twenty years, more than 380 humanitarian operations have been carried out, of which almost 250 are the provision of selfless assistance with a total volume of more than 220 thousand tons.

In August 2005, Russia sent about 65 tons of relief supplies to the United States for citizens affected by Hurricane Katrina. And in October 2012, another cargo of 50 tons was sent to America for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

After the May earthquake in 2008, more than 30 tons of gratuitous aid was sent to China.

In January and February 2010 there were terrible earthquakes in Haiti and Chile. Russia delivered 150 and 60 tons of humanitarian aid to the affected peoples.

Many Russian news agencies have reported that August 19 is Humanitarian Aid Day. According to them, the UN General Assembly declared August 19 World Humanitarian Day by its resolution of December 11, 2008. However, on this day global community remembers the people who lost their lives saving others. Therefore, the reports about the celebration of the Day of Humanitarian Aid are not entirely accurate, or rather, they are completely inaccurate and require comments.

August 19 is International Humanitarian Day - World Humanitarian Day, not Humanitarian Day. It would seem that the differences in the wording are insignificant and not so important. But... How is Humanitarian Day different from the Day of the so-called "humanitarian aid"? Many:

- “humanitarian aid” in Russia is when they cut cans of stew “from pork and meat”. And, at the same time: when they use second-hand clothes for commercial sales and curse international imperialism. When they share the loot and, at the same time, they are looking for "agents of foreign influence."

- and Humanitarian Day is a day when it is remembered that neither the state, nor the Church, nor even the best charitable or philanthropic organizations are "Man". Which is not a biological and even a social fact. Which is only a fundamental opportunity to become one. And only this potentiality and nothing else is a humanitarian fact. And in itself, a biological and average social person is, well, neither fish nor meat. Accident. Misunderstanding. Laughter for the Immortals. And praying or worshiping this average idiot is sheer stupidity.

The Soviet government loved to celebrate Children's Day, when hippies who came out to celebrate this day were "screwed" all over the Soviet Union. Traditions have not been lost.

Humanitarianism - the ability for a Human to live in an inhabited, comfortable and humane world - is a problem inherited by European civilization from its history of many centuries. There are and have been states that have decided for themselves - and societies that agreed with them - that "man" is a consumable material for building majestic social structures. Or - simply and vulgarly, without fools - to raise money for a small group of socially wealthy people. Fuel and “resource”, as well as some inconvenience or convenience when collecting money in your pocket.

And there is an idea and a dream about a person. And various states now demonstrate remarkably and clearly what they consider a person to be, and the societies of these states, as a rule, accept these models. We see how people can be imprisoned for dancing in the Red Corner, or for not liking a particular person the State's First Arithmetic Function. We see how volunteers who have gathered to help victims of natural disasters can be accused of inciting inarticulate hatred or even preparing explosions and terrorist acts.

One way or another, August 19 is World Humanitarian Day, or, in Russian interpretation, World Humanitarian Day. More about charitable foundations Russia, their sources of income and areas of activity, see the RIA Novosti infographic.

From a 2012 message from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

“This year, World Humanitarian Day provides a historic opportunity to bring together one billion people from all corners of the world to promote the powerful and actionable message of “People Helping People.” it the best way to pay tribute to the vast number of humanitarian workers who lost their lives helping, and whose memory we honor today, and to commend the efforts of those who continue their noble mission, quickly delivering assistance to suffering people.

Each of us has helped someone in need at least once in our lives. No matter how difficult life is, there will always be a place for such a small feat. Not surprisingly, International Humanitarian Day has become a full-fledged holiday, a kind of way to say that people with good hearts will never run out.

August 19 - Humanitarian Aid Day

Most likely, our person is not yet familiar with this date, because it has only been celebrated since 2008. However, for powerful and civilized countries, Humanitarian Aid Day, if not a holiday in the traditional sense, then an important date for sure.

As a rule, on this day, all kinds of charity events or auctions are held by all kinds of volunteer communities, trying to attract as many people as possible. And even if a person has not had a chance to help those in need until this day, he will most likely want to take part. World Humanitarian Day is often accompanied by various exhibitions. Practice shows that many more willing get cute trinkets for themselves or, rather than simply drop bills into boxes or make transfers.

Humanitarian Aid Day is not complete without gratitude to those who have become salvation and hope for people. By the way, after all, the date 19 was not chosen by chance. It just so happened that such holidays coincide with important events and not always joyful. It was on this day in 2003 that one of the UN employees died saving the lives of people after an explosion in a hotel.

Today, on International Humanitarian Day, activists are trying to attract as many people as possible, talk about the work done and look for ways to help those who really need it. Of course, World Humanitarian Day may not be celebrated somewhere in the outback of our country. But even at the level open lesson at school, this is already a small step towards a new attitude of the younger generation to this issue.

Every year on August 19, World Humanitarian Day, we remember those who risk their lives to help others. The day is held under the slogan "One Humanity". By this date, the International Red Cross launched the 24 Hours project, which shows the life of humanitarian missions and volunteers in different parts the globe.

World Humanitarian Day is celebrated on the anniversary of the 2003 bombing at the headquarters of the United Nations in Baghdad, Iraq. In 2016, the UN and its partner organizations are calling for solidarity and support for the 130 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.

This year, the day is held under the slogan “One Humanity” and is intended to draw the attention of the general public to the results of the World Humanitarian Summit held in Istanbul, whose participants promised to help people in crisis and provide safe and effective ways humanitarian aid, according to the UN.

“World Humanitarian Day is an annual reminder of the need for action to alleviate suffering. It is also an opportunity to appreciate the hard work of humanitarian workers and volunteers on the front lines of crisis response. I would like to pay tribute to these dedicated men and women who bravely face danger to help those who are at much greater risk,” said the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, united in the International Federation, represent the world's largest humanitarian network. Today it brings together more than 80 million members and 16 million volunteers around the world.

For International Federation Red Cross and Red Crescent and its national societies in 190 countries, the motto "One Humanity" fully complies with the fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, emphasizes Semyon Misiri, Director of the European Office of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

“Unfortunately, in last years we see disrespect for International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Conventions. The emblems of the Red Cross and Red Crescent are not always the emblem of protection, which cannot but disturb us. Only in Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, we have lost more than 60 employees and volunteers of our National Societies. In Ukraine, six volunteers were injured, our colleague from International Committee Red Cross. Therefore, we tirelessly appeal to the member states of the Geneva Conventions to strictly observe the principles of international humanitarian law,” says Semyon Misiri.

On August 19, events will be held to pay tribute to humanitarian workers. At the UN headquarters in New York will pass a wreath-laying ceremony; and a special high-level event in the General Assembly. On this day there is a campaign in in social networks, photo exhibition and display documentaries. These events are designed to draw public attention to the situation of people in need of humanitarian assistance.

National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world, in cooperation with colleagues from the UN and its specialized organizations, hold various public actions on this day in order to draw attention to the absolute value of the principles of humanity. These are joint appeals to the population and governments, and actions to attract volunteers, and explanatory work on the activities of societies and attracting supporters.

“Of course, such work is carried out constantly, and not just one day a year. But on a day like this, it is an opportunity to remind us all that human progress is determined by the growth of humanism. Unfortunately, we continue to face the facts when the interests and needs of various vulnerable groups of the population are not taken into account, women and children, national minorities have unequal access to the provision of humanitarian assistance. National and racial discrimination continues to exclude entire groups of the population from a full social life and do not allow them to become full members of certain communities. All this is on the agenda of the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies around the world,” notes Semyon Misiri.

One of the main tasks of the Red Cross in Russia is prompt response to disasters and emergencies, both natural and man-made. The regions of the North Caucasus, the South of Russia, Siberia, and the Far East are subject to the risk of natural disasters.

“We are constantly improving the models and tools for providing humanitarian assistance, bringing them closer to the needs of the affected population. For example, during the period of assistance during the preparation of refugees from Ukraine for the winter, for the first time in Russia, we used a very modern, convenient and effective method providing humanitarian assistance to the population - cash certificates, ”says the head of the Regional Representative Office of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Russia Davron Mukhamadiev.

More than 7,000 refugees in the Belgorod, Lipetsk, Volgograd and Voronezh regions were given the opportunity to come to shopping centers with these certificates, choose warm clothes and hygiene products for themselves and their children, taking into account their taste and individual needs.

“Most importantly, they felt like full-fledged people in a peaceful country, not standing in line for a traditional package, but choosing clothes in mall. Visiting these regions, I received great satisfaction from the fact that we provided such assistance, supporting them in a difficult period,” says Davron Mukhamadiev.

The most important task for the Russian Red Cross in emergency situations it remains to ensure the targeting of humanitarian assistance to the population based on the identified needs of the victims, notes the chairman of the Russian Red Cross Raisa Lukutsova.

“The Russian Red Cross, throughout its 149-year history, strives to be at the forefront of those who provide humanitarian assistance to those in need. At the same time, on this day, I would like to thank all citizens and organizations who, to the best of their ability, seek to help people in distress, and wish that the world has as few reasons as possible to provide humanitarian assistance to people, ”says Lukutsova.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) specifically world day Humanitarian Aid prepared the 24 Hours project, which shows the life of humanitarian missions and volunteers from dawn to dusk, how they live and work in different points the globe.

“We are confident that drawing attention to the impressive work of staff and volunteers humanitarian organizations, extremely important. It should also be noted the incredible motivation of people working day in and day out to provide the necessary assistance to those who need it around the world, ”says Magne Barth, Head of the ICRC Regional Delegation in Moscow.

The International KK and KP Movement has launched a #ADayInTheLife global campaign on social media to reiterate the importance of the life-saving work being done by humanitarian workers around the world. The organizers call on everyone to join this action and present successful examples of humanitarian assistance in various countries peace.

Photo courtesy of the IFRC