World Humanitarian Day, celebrated every year on August 19, honors the workers whose purpose in life is to help millions of people affected by natural disasters or armed conflicts around the world, particularly the most vulnerable populations.

In this context, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) joins this important celebration, and recognizes the dedication of humanitarian aid workers from the United Nations System, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), national and local agencies, and, especially, the communities that allow them to provide humanitarian support in the Region.

The celebration of this important date is an opportunity to recognize the need to respect and continue supporting the work of all humanitarian workers who, under the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence, provide assistance to help communities recover their lives after a disaster, or improve their response capacity to future crises.

Global celebration: “I Was Here”

This year, the United Nations System, together with other humanitarian aid agencies and singer Beyoncé, are presenting a global campaign with the motto “I Was Here” to encourage people around the world to participate by doing something good for somebody else. To have a memorable celebration, they are trying to reach one billion people in one day, with a single message.

Communities and organizations around the world celebrate World Humanitarian Day through different commemorations and public acts to pay tribute to those people who risk their lives to help others, and to remember 2003, when 22 people lost their lives in an attack on the UN compound in Baghdad.

• For more information on the celebration, visit World Humanitarian Day - August 19
  
• Beyoncé’s video with the campaign’s message