World Humanitarian Day

Topics: Emergencies and Disasters Worldwide
August 19, 2013

August 19, marks World Humanitarian Day – a day to recognize humanitarian aid workers who have lost their lives in the course of their duty. World Humanitarian Day is also a day for the international community to come together and celebrate humanity and the passion that drives individuals to help those in need, even in the most dangerous situations, often putting their own lives at risk.
 
This year, the Red Cross is commemorating staff and volunteers who have lost their lives while on duty, specifically those in Syria, where more than 20 Syrian Arab Red Crescent workers have been lost since the beginning of the conflict.
 
On World Humanitarian Day, we call on all concerned to respect the Geneva Conventions and the Red Cross Red Crescent’s mandate and emblems, and to guarantee the security and protection of humanitarian workers and volunteers.
 
It is important to ensure safe and unhindered access for the Red Cross Red Crescent to vulnerable people throughout the country. Syrian Arab Red Crescent’s staff and volunteers deliver humanitarian aid with impartiality and neutrality, based on needs alone, at all times.
 
More than 2.5 million people receive aid every month through the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and needs are increasing. However, without the dedicated staff and volunteers who put their own lives at risk, the needs of those affected by the Syrian conflict would not be met.
 
The Canadian Red Cross commends all staff and volunteers with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent who have endured great risks and put their lives in danger to help others.
 
The IFRC has launched an emergency appeal to support the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to continue delivering assistance to people who have been affected by the crisis. To support the response in Syria, you can donate to the Canadian Red Cross Middle Eastern and Northern Africa crisis.
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