World Humanitarian Day 2019: Significance, Theme and all you need to know

World Humanitarian Day (WHD) is observed every year on August 19 as a tribute to aid workers and those who lost their lives in humanitarian actions.

World Humanitarian Day 2019: Significance, Theme and all you need to know
World Humanitarian Day 2019 : Theme & Significance

Every year on August 19, World Humanitarian Day (WHD) is observed as a tribute to aid workers and those who lost their lives in humanitarian service. The present-day is celebrated to honors all humanitarians who have worked in the promotion of the humanitarian cause, and those who have lost their lives in the cause of duty. Generally, this day aims to raise public awareness about humanitarian assistance activities worldwide and the importance of international cooperation.

World Humanitarian Day 2019 Theme

The World Humanitarian Day 2019 theme is ‘Women Humanitarians’. This year, the day will honor women who had work in crisis throughout the world, be it from the war-wounded in Afghanistan to the food insecure in the Sahel.

World Humanitarian Day 2019 is set to rejoice Women Humanitarians and their undying contribution in making the world a better place to live for all of us. This year’s campaign on Women Humanitarians supports the recognition that women deserve in the strengthening of global humanitarian response as well as in protection efforts under the international law.

Why World Humanitarian Day is Important

  1. It celebrates unsung heroes

World Humanitarian Day is a sobering reminder of how many lives have been lost in the name of this valiant cause, as well as a celebration of the workers currently doing this necessary but often, dangerous work.

  1. It highlights the need for humanitarian work

Every year, millions of people need humanitarian assistance as a result of disasters both natural and man-made. World Humanitarian Day reminds us of the increasing need for humanitarian workers who can give selflessly of their time.

  1. It’s an international event

A big part of World Humanitarian Day is drawing importance to the need for international cooperation on humanitarian issues. Humanitarian aid workers might be helping people in their home countries, or they might be dispatched to help those in need elsewhere. International cooperation is essential to maintaining the safety of humanitarian aid workers while enabling them to help those who suffer.

How to Observe World Humanitarian Day

  1. Donate to a humanitarian organization

There are humanitarian organizations all over the world in need of resources. If you are able to donate your time to one of these organizations, that’s wonderful. If you can’t, a monetary donation would go a long way in supplementing workers' resources to help suffering communities.

  1. Do some humanitarian work in your community

There may be plenty of options for you to do just that close to home. Try volunteering at a homeless shelter, a nursing home, a hospital or a place that serves underprivileged children.

  1. Contact your elected leaders

Call, email or send a tweet to let your elected leaders know how important humanitarian crises are to you. Ask them to commit to any number of actions to help bolster humanitarian causes in the areas that are near and dear to your heart.