When there is a natural disaster, do we ever stop to think about who cleans up the resulting damage and destruction? Or when the world is hit by a deadly pandemic, do we know who treats the sick at the cost of their own lives? These brave souls in question are our humanitarians. Whether it be a social worker cleaning up the debris left behind by an earthquake, or a nurse treating someone infected by coronavirus, a humanitarian is someone who works selflessly to promote human welfare.
What is World Humanitarian Day?
World Humanitarian Day is an important occasion to honor, recognize, and support all our humanitarian aid workers for all their hard work and sacrifices that change our world for the better. It is celebrated each year on the 19th of August.
History of World Humanitarian Day
On the 19th of August 2003, a bombing at the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iran left 22 humanitarian aid workers dead. This bloody incident incited a desire to honor all those who put their lives on the line to increase human welfare; especially to commemorate the humanitarian aid workers we have lost and to increase the support for the ones we still have. Thus, in 2009, the United Nations General Assembly formally adopted August 19 as World Humanitarian Day.
Ways to observe World Humanitarian Day
There are many ways to observe World Humanitarian Day. One way to celebrate this day could be by raising support for our fearless humanitarian officers via donations to humanitarian organizations. Another way to help is by being a humanitarian yourself. As it can be understood from its definition, anyone can put in effort to be humanitarian by simply working to support and increase human welfare. Volunteering at homeless shelters, nursing homes, helping out in your local community, are all great ways of being a humanitarian yourself.
UNESCO BMW’s Involvement
UNESCO Body and Mind Wellness is an organization that primarily seeks to promote inner peace and self awareness across generations and cultures. This is achieved by our various programs and events that serve the purpose of enriching the human soul. From regular meditation programs to creative workshops, our organization focuses on increasing human welfare by promoting inner peace through cultural, creative, and natural practices.
UNESCO BMW’s Vision
Our vision mission encompasses three main goals that are also in line with this occasion today and engage people of all ages, especially the youth-improvement of the inner ecosystem, enhancement of inner creativity through arts and crafts and, lastly, encouragement of inner peace on a global level.
Sources:
https://2023.worldhumanitarianday.org/
https://about.worldhumanitarianday.org/
https://www.un.org/en/observances/humanitarian-day
https://www.unicef.org/careers/working-humanitarian-emergencies