Today, 19 August, we celebrate World Humanitarian Day and, once again this year, we join the #ActforHumanity campaign, calling on world leaders to end violations of international law and restore peace by upholding humanitarian laws.

One year ago, the world urged leaders to end the killing of humanitarian workers. They listened – then looked away.

2024 became the deadliest year on record; 2025 is on track to be worse.

We repeat this grim line every year and fear it no longer shocks.

Killing aid workers is now normalized, rarely making headlines.

Our work – meant only to save lives – is now underfunded, overstretched and under attack.

The promise of protection is broken:

Violations of international humanitarian law continue; every red line crossed meets impunity, indifference and hypocrisy.

Yet humanitarians still head toward gunfire, checkpoints and danger.

They do not give up – and we must not give up on them.

This World Humanitarian Day we renew our call – louder, sharper, uncompromising:

Respect the rules of war.

Protect those who protect humanity.

End impunity – or stand condemned by history.

The world is watching. #ActForHumanity – now.

To find out more, visit the #ActForHumanity campaign website HERE
World Humanitarian Day is a campaign run by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Credits: OCHA