The 19th of August is marked as the World Humanitarian Day by the UN General Assembly. On this day, in 2003, a bomb attack in Iraq killed 22 Humanitarian aid workers. Each year, a theme of global concern is chosen for the Humanitarian Day. This international day aims to spread awareness around the issues important for survival, well-being, and dignity for the group of people affected by any sort of crisis.
Theme for the Humanitarian Day
In 2020, the theme was about the Covid aid workers. Its objective was to show gratitude and respect for their tireless efforts in rendering service day and night. Theme for this year is “The Human Race”, with special focus on climate change. It highlights the human cost of climate change and aims to pressure world leaders to make meaningful decisions to help the most affected people.
Its aim is to draw attention to the millions of people who are vulnerable to climate change, and have already lost lives, livelihood and home, due to the extreme climatic changes. UN plans to shed some light on these issues by using the #theHumanRace on social media and other platforms. “Climate Change emergency is a race we are losing, but it is a race we can win.” said the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.
Global Humanitarian Overview
Global Humanitarian Overview is an evidence based assessment of the humanitarian needs such as eradication of hunger, diseases, gender-based violence, etc. In the overview of 2020, Gender-Based violence and its response was a major priority. Particularly due to the pandemic’s impact in deepening the existing inequalities and vulnerabilities.
According to the overview, nearly 235 million people will need protection and humanitarian assistance in 2021. The need for assistance has gone up from 1 in 45 people in 2020, to 1 in 33 people in 2021. According to the assessment, most people in need of assistance in 2021, are present in Afghanistan. The international organizations have planned to help 160 million people affected by hunger, conflict and climate related issues.
To overcome the main issues around poverty and hunger require humanitarian assistance and aid. According to Nelson Mandela, a well known humanitarian leader, “Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.”
It is important to join hands and make a positive change for the betterment of humankind. Humanitarian activists and leaders, along with the common people can work together and eradicate all the ills faced by humanity.
