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World Humanitarian Day 2014

Every year on 19 August, the global humanitarian community commemorates World Humanitarian Day. It is a day to recognize all humanitarian aid workers who face danger and adversity in order to help others. It also commemorates all people who have lost their lives in humanitarian service.

On 19 August 2003, 22 aid workers were killed in a bombing at the UN office in Baghdad.

This year’s commemoration of World Humanitarian Day is unfortunately as timely as ever, with more humanitarian workers kidnapped, seriously injured or killed than ever before. In 2013, 155 aid workers were killed, 171 were seriously wounded, and 134 were kidnapped.

Hundreds of humanitarian organizations around the globe will be commemorating the day by raising public awareness of humanitarian assistance currently being provided worldwide.

This year, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) shines the spotlight on humanitarians around the world and profiles “Humanitarian Heroes” – aid workers from all walks of life, who are committed to making a difference. Find out more at www.worldhumanitarianday.org. The European Commission Humanitarian and Civil Protection department (ECHO) has developed a campaign to raise awareness for humanitarians who risk their lives daily, while saving those of others. Visit the ECHO website to find out more..

As a resource for the humanitarian community, ReliefWeb is committed to ensuring that aid workers have access to the most comprehensive information available, to be able to safely accomplish their objectives. We have developed a comprehensive list of resources on aid worker safety and security in our Safety and Security Topic page. You can also find training opportunities focusing on aid worker safety and security in ReliefWeb’s Training section. We hope that these resources are valuable to all #HumanitarianHeroes.

These are just a few of the campaigns being undertaken by the humanitarian community. To learn more about how World Humanitarian Day is commemorated around the world, be sure to check ReliefWeb’s coverage of World Humanitarian Day.