What is World Humanitarian Day and why is it important? 

This article was first published in August 2023 and updated in August 2024.

World Humanitarian Day takes place every 19 August to recognize the dedication, commitment and sacrifice of humanitarians around the world.

As the United Nations explains:

The day aims to promote the well-being, dignity and ultimately the survival of those affected by disasters, and the safety and security of the aid workers who rush to help them.

Like other international days and weeks, it's used to raise awareness and educate the public on global challenges and issues.

The World Economic Forum's 2024 Global Risks Report warns of the risks of geo-economic confrontation and also the erosion of social cohesion and societal polarization. From conflict to climate change, it is often humanitarians that respond to the impacts and minimise human suffering in the process.

World Humanitarian Day takes place on the 19 August every year to mark the anniversary of the 2003 bomb attack on the UN headquarters at Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq. The attack killed 22 humanitarian workers.

It also killed the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello.

Humanitarians work in disaster and conflict zones to protect and save people in need, often by providing basic necessities like food.

And the need is significant, only accelerated by the climate crisis and the unfolding conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar and Yemen. According to the UN Security Council, the war in Gaza alone has claimed the lives of over 224 humanitarians, including over 190 UNRWA (the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees) and other UN agencies’ personnel. National staff represented the vast majority of those affected in Gaza and other crises.

The work can be extremely dangerous. In 2023, the UN reports, 196 aid workers were wounded, 78 were kidnapped and 261 were killed, more than double the previous year.

Funding is a serious issue and needs continue to outstrip available resources. In July 2024, the UN warned that just 25% of the funding needed by the Global Humanitarian Appeal had been received.

The theme of the 2024 World Humanitarian Day global campaign is #ActForHumanity.

As the UN explains, the campaign aims to “mobilize our collective efforts to ensure the protection of humanitarians and civilians and to demand accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and other international norms”.

On this crucial day, the World Economic Forum reiterates its full support for humanitarian principles and humanitarian aid workers worldwide.

The Forum's Centre for Regions, Trade and Geopolitics brings together partners to promote peace efforts, build more resilient societies to withstand shocks and boost financing efforts, for example through its Humanitarian and Resilience Investing initiative.