On 19 August 2003, a truck packed with a ton of explosive deliberately drove into the UN office in Iraq. The explosion killed 22 people. Among them was Sergio Vieira de Mello, then the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights. The UN General Assembly has chosen this day, 19 August, to honour all humanitarians.

19 August 2009 is the inaugural World Humanitarian Day. It is a day for the United Nations (UN) and aid agencies to both raise public awareness of the current humanitarian needs and challenges the world over. It also serves to honour aid workers in the humanitarian sector, particularly those who have lost their lives bringing assistance to others.

“We should all take a moment this World Humanitarian Day to reflect on the humanitarian relief work that is going on right now, in many countries around the world,” said Tim Costello, World Vision CEO.

“In 2008, 260 humanitarian workers were killed, kidnapped or seriously injured in violent attacks. Spare a thought for the staff – from all aid agencies - placing themselves in danger to assist those in need. And spare a thought for the many millions of people faced with the daily reality of living in volatile or difficult situations around the world.”

Humanitarian needs are growing internationally. Long running conflicts are still inflicting an unjust toll on civilians. Natural disasters are becoming increasingly severe and frequent. The international humanitarian community is facing new threats generated by the combined effects of climate change, chronic poverty, the food and financial crisis, water and energy scarcity, migration, population growth, urbanisation and pandemics.

The challenges faced by many millions of people around the world are immense, and the need for effective humanitarian action is greater than ever.

Humanitarian response in 2009

World Vision emergency response programs seek to save lives and reduce suffering, protect and restore livelihoods, and decrease risks faced by disaster and conflict-prone communities. In 2009 World Vision carried out responses to some of the largest humanitarian crisis facing our world today.

Pakistan
Intense fighting between militant groups and the Pakistani Forces in and around the Swat Valley drove some 2.5 million people from their homes in May this year. World Vision joined the relief effort to provide life-saving services to displaced families. Humanitarian workers continue to provide assistance at great risk to their own lives: four UN staff have been killed this year.

Sri Lanka
Over 280,000 people were displaced as a result of the fighting that ended Asia’s longest running conflict. The crisis posed a huge challenge for humanitarian agencies, including World Vision, in responding to the needs of the displaced families. In 2006, 17 aid workers from the group Action Aid were killed in Sri Lanka in an attacked on their compound by armed men.

Sudan
One of the world’s largest humanitarian relief operations continues to be carried out in Darfur, Western Sudan, where almost five million people are relying on humanitarian aid. World Vision continues to provide support to 1.5 million people in Darfur, Khartoum and Blue Nile states. Humanitarian access has been constrained by targeted violence against humanitarian workers and their assets.

Democratic Republic of Congo
A succession of conflicts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 1997 has left almost 1.7 million people internally displaced. World Vision runs humanitarian and recovery operations in health, nutrition, protection, water and sanitation and food security in eastern DRC. Humanitarian organisations are often targeted for attack by the various warring factions in eastern DRC. Between January and April 2009, an average of one attack every three days was recorded. Watch our slideshow of powerful images from the DRC.

Gaza
Violence in the Gaza strip in January 2009 was the culmination of an 18 month blockade of the Palestinian enclave. The blockade crippled Gaza’s economy leaving 1.5 million people in need of assistance. The recent conflict claimed the lives of 1,400 people. Humanitarian agencies are working hard, despite severe restrictions posed on the humanitarian effort, to continue providing life saving services to the Palestinian community.

How you can help

World Vision’s Emergency & Preparedness Fund enables World Vision respond to current emergencies and prepare for the impact of future shocks. Support for this fund enables World Vision to provide emergency relief supplies and longer-term livelihood recovery assistance to affected communities where they’re needed most. Donate today.