World Humanitarian Day
Tomorrow, August 19 is World Humanitarian Day is a day dedicated to recognize humanitarian personnel and those who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes. It was designated by the United Nations General Assembly as part of a Swedish-sponsored GA Resolution A/63/L.49 on the Strengthening of the Coordination of Emergency Assistance of the United Nations, and set as 19 August. It marks the day on which the then Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Iraq, Sérgio Vieira de Mello and 21 of his colleagues were killed in the bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad.
Our Shared Humanity
By William Lacy Swing, International Organization for Migration Director General
There are 65 million people displaced worldwide. An unprecedented number of people are being forced to migrate to escape war, poverty, the impact of climate change and persecution. The humanitarian system is overwhelmed by the number and scale of humanitarian emergencies and conflicts. Indeed, a world with millions uprooted is itself a crisis.
On this World Humanitarian Day, humanitarian actors and global citizens working together is critical to delivering life-saving assistance in the aftermath of a crisis, in ending displacement and finding durable solutions.
Of all those displaced worldwide, 40 million are displaced within their borders and another 21 million have become refugees. Once displaced, they continue to live with severe deprivation and discrimination. Displacement is increasingly protracted, lasting on average 17 years and, in conflict-related contexts, 23 years.
Displacement results in generations of children growing into adulthood unaware of what life can be in a stable environment. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are particularly vulnerable. Like refugees, they are forced to leave their homes as a result of armed conflict, gross human rights violations and other traumatic events. While an established system of international protection and assistance is in place for cross-border displacement, however, those who remain within their borders continue to fall under the responsibility of a state that is often unable or unwilling to provide them with necessary protection and assistance.
KJ