In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of conflicts among countries. As these battles and wars continue, lives are lost, victims are rendered helpless, and hate bleeds into the hearts of countless people.
Yet, some people remain, standing by the wounded soul’s side— until their very last breath. These people stand their ground, despite the chilling terror that surrounds them. They remain firmly rooted with those who need them, knowing they may never make it back home.
This is a humanitarian worker’s mission. Undoubtedly, it is them who dedicate their lives to ensure the vulnerable victims of war, famine, disease, and disaster have someone to rely on. Hence, on this day, we remember their acts of service and honour the work they have done for society.
The Unwavering Past
On August 19th, 2003, there was a bomb attack on the Canal Hospital in Baghdad, killing 22 people. Amongst them was UN representative Sergio Vieira de Mello, the current United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights at the time. His death raised awareness about the dangers humanitarian workers face on their jobs. Hence, in 2009, in memory of this event and to carry forth the noble mission of Sergio Vieira de Mello’s team, the UN General Assembly designated August 19th as International Humanitarian Day.
The Mission: #ActforHumanity
Although the media has brought many issues into the limelight regarding the ongoing global conflicts, there remains an echoing silence for the advocacy of humanitarian aid workers. Often, the imperative role humanitarian workers play in ensuring the safety of victims is overlooked. Consequently, they are almost always caught in the crossfire along with the innocent victims. This vicious cycle of terror continues in Gaza, Sudan, and other major conflict zones, where the major cause of their death was ‘deliberate violence’. In fact, in 2024 alone, 344 aid workers were killed, surpassing the highest toll of 280 in 2023.
This goes to show that there isn’t enough being done for these brave and selfless individuals. Therefore, as fellow human beings and global citizens, we must act for humanity, too. This is because each humanitarian worker plays a vital role, holds an unheard story, and creates a massive impact on the lives of many.
UNESCO BMW: Where Awareness Meets Action
At UNESCO BMW, we foster an enriching environment that inculcates the key values of universality, selflessness, impartiality, and voluntary service. Not only do we shed light on the importance of these qualities, but it also enables our members to sympathise and understand the struggles humanitarian workers face every day. We believe that fostering this compassion is what catalyses the determination to take action to make the world a more peaceful and serene place.
Furthermore, it is crucial to realise that humanitarian aid workers are highly vulnerable to danger as well as the victims of such horrid consequences. We enforce this in our ReWIND program, where we always hold a session for embracing the goodness within oneself and encourage our members to remain connected to all the changes within the world.
So, join us today so that we too can give back to the givers of the world. Take a chance to be selfless and courageous because no small act of kindness ever goes wasted.
By: Ruheena Roushanara Choudhury