On August 19, World Humanitarian Day, the Humanitarian Coalition and its member agencies celebrated humanitarian workers around the world who respond to natural disasters and other crises by providing emergency assistance that addresses pressing health and safety needs, saves lives, and helps rebuild communities.
At an event at the Monument to Canadian Aid Workers in Ottawa, representatives of humanitarian organizations gathered to say a few words and pay homage to colleagues whose tireless efforts in the face of immense adversity continue to inspire us. Their dedication and courage feed the hungry, protect the vulnerable, reunite children with their parents, build shelters, support refugees, and give hope to affected populations.
World Humanitarian Day was created by the UN General Assembly in 2008 in memory of UN Special Envoy to Iraq Sergio Vieira de Mello and 21 other people killed in a terrorist attack on UN headquarters in Baghdad, in 2003.
The Monument to Canadian Aid Workers, unveiled in June 2001, commemorates Canadians’ commitment to international development and humanitarian assistance and to those who die in the line of this work.
-30-
For media inquiries, contact us at 613-239-2154 or media at humanitariancoalition dot ca
The Humanitarian Coalition (HC) brings together leading aid organizations to provide Canadians with a simple and effective way to donate during large-scale humanitarian emergencies. The HC also partners with Global Affairs Canada to enable its member agencies to respond to lesser-known small and medium-scale disasters.