World Humanitarian Day 2021

World Humanitarian Day was created in memory of the August 19, 2003 bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killing 22 people, including the chief humanitarian in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. In 2009, the United Nations General Assembly formalized the day as World Humanitarian Day. Each year since, the UN has brought together partners from across the humanitarian system to advocate for those affected by crises, and for the safety of aid workers.  

In 2020, 475 aid workers were attacked: 108 killed, 242 wounded and 125 kidnapped. The proportion of national aid worker victims was even higher than usual (95%) but travel and movement restrictions for international staff (due to COVID-19) may partly explain why. 

This year's theme for World Humanitarian Day is set to highlight the immediate consequences of the climate emergency for the world’s most vulnerable people. The goal is to ensure that their voices are heard, and their needs are at the top of the agenda at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November.  

In honor of this year’s theme, the UN is launching a campaign called “Join the Race.” This is a global challenge for supporters to act in solidarity with those who are most affected by climate change. You can show support by running, riding a bike, swimming, walking or doing any activity of your choice for a cumulative 100 minutes between August 16 and August 31. This is meant to remind world leaders of their decade-old pledge to dedicate $100 billion annually towards climate mitigation in the Global South. Share all your social media content using the hashtags #TheHumanRace and #WorldHumanitarianDay.