Today is World Humanitarian Day, it’s a day recognize those who face danger and adversity in order to help others. The day was designated by the General Assembly to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, which killed 22 UN staff. Everyday, all over the world humanitarian workers devote themselves to helping others despite the sacrifices this often requires them to make. People risk their comfort, their health, their reputations, and many times their lives to help those in need.
The theme for this years World Humanitarian Day is “I Was Here”. The idea is to honor those who have, and continue to sacrifice for common good by sending out a unified message of hope through both word and action. The UN wants to send the biggest social media message ever, a message of hope from 1 billion people who have added their name and pledge to do one good act today in recognition of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and those who still carry on their noble mission by rushing assistance to those who are suffering. To play a part in this big even just add your voice to the millions of people around the world who also pledge to do something good, somewhere, for someone else. Even if you miss the deadline, you can still honor international humanitarians by carrying on their hope and mission of a better world for all people everywhere, no matter their location, beliefs, sex, age, or status.
Here is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for World Humanitarian Day:
Secretary-General’s Message for 2012
This year’s World Humanitarian Day presents an historic opportunity to bring together one billion people from around the world to advance a powerful and proactive idea: People Helping People.
That is the best way to honour the many fallen aid workers we mourn today, and to celebrate the efforts of others who carry on their noble mission by rushing assistance to those who are suffering.
The spirit of solidarity that animates these courageous efforts drives our commemoration of World Humanitarian Day.
I have seen that spirit in my travels around the world, as I meet with relief workers who leave the comforts of their own homes to aid others in need.
I also saw that spirit earlier this month when I met Beyoncé Knowles, the superstar who is donating her song, “I Was Here,” to our global campaign promoting action for a better world.
Millions of people have already gone to our website to register their support and share their actions. From international efforts to avert a hunger crisis in West Africa to urgent assistance to civilians in Syria to a single good deed from one neighbour to the next, the spirit of People Helping People improves conditions for all.
Let us give meaning to World Humanitarian Day by registering acts of good on the website:www.whd‑iwashere.org. Individual actions may seem small, but collectively they will reverberate around the world, generating unstoppable momentum for a better future.
Ban Ki-moon
For Those Who Can't Fight 