On 19 August each year, the world commemorates World Humanitarian Day, honoring humanitarian workers who have lost their lives while carrying out their duties and recognizing the thousands of women and men who continue, under the most difficult circumstances, to provide assistance and protection to people affected by conflicts, disasters, and crises.

On this occasion, the Geneva Institute for Human Rights remembers the victims of the 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, which claimed the lives of 22 people, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq. This tragedy became a symbol of the sacrifices made by humanitarian workers and a driving force behind the establishment of 19 August as World Humanitarian Day.

This occasion comes at a time when humanitarian crises are worsening around the world as a result of armed conflicts, climate change, and natural disasters, leading to displacement, hunger, poverty, and the collapse of essential services. In many areas, particularly Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine, and elsewhere, civilians continue to bear the greatest burden, while the need for humanitarian assistance and international protection continues to grow.

The Institute emphasizes that humanitarian action is not a privilege, but a necessity and a human right, and that assistance must reach those in need without discrimination, in accordance with the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. It also stresses the need to protect humanitarian workers and ensure their safety and security, and to prevent them from being targeted or obstructed from reaching those affected.

On this occasion, the Institute calls on governments, parties to conflicts, and the international community to respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law, facilitate humanitarian access, protect civilians, and create conditions that enable humanitarian workers to carry out their duties safely and with dignity.

The Geneva Institute for Human Rights pays tribute to all humanitarian workers, women and men alike, and honors the memory of those who lost their lives while carrying out their noble mission. The Institute reaffirms its commitment to promoting a culture of solidarity and human dignity.

In a world where crises continue to expand, humanity remains a shared responsibility, and solidarity and collective action remain the path toward protecting people and safeguarding their dignity.