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Let's celebrate World Humanitarian Day, a global celebration of people who help people in need, whenever and wherever without asking for anything in return.
As an individual or a business, there are many ways from big to small to honor this day.
Take a moment today to grow global appreciation of humanitarian workers.
We can also learn from them, as John Holmes once said: “There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.”
Being a socially responsible company, EMPAUA often encourages employees to do humanitarian work and we create opportunities for them to do so in the least hassle way.
For example, we provide our people with the option to donate their birthdays or anniversaries gifts to a charitable organisation of their choice.
In July, we have made donations on behalf of our employees to various humanitarian organisations, such as:
As part of the day where we celebrate people helping people, we want to thank all the humanitarian workers who have risked or are risking their lives serving on the frontline to offer the utmost aid to those in need.
Moreover, we want to thank our employees for their goodwill and efforts in providing humanitarian support to people in the communities that are close to them.
World Humanitarian Day was created in commemoration of the August 19th bombing of the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, which killed 22 people. Among them was Sergio Vieira de Mello, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
In 2009, The United Nations General Assembly designated this day as World Humanitarian Day, the purpose is to recognise humanitarian workers who dedicate their lives to work for humanitarian causes.
Since then, each year on 19 August, World Humanitarian Day focuses on a theme to advocate for the survival, well-being, and dignity of people affected by crises, and for the safety and security of aid workers.
According to the United Nations, the theme for 2022 is #ItTakesAVillage, which sheds light on the countless volunteers, professionals, and crisis-affected individuals that provide emergency medical care, shelter, food, protection, water, and a variety of other services.
This year's campaign plays on the African proverb that it takes a village to raise a child. Similarly, it takes a village to support just one person in crisis.
As humanitarian action takes place in dangerous and unstable settings, humanitarian workers are some of the most heroic and honorable people alive, who risk their lives to alleviate the suffering of others. In 2021 some 461 aid workers were victims of 268 major attacks: 141 aid workers were killed, 203 seriously injured and 117 kidnapped, according to the NGO Humanitarian Outcomes.
Despite their excellent work and sacrifice, these employees hardly ever received public praise. World Humanitarian Day serves as both a somber reminder of the many lives lost in the name of this heroic cause and a celebration of the workers who are currently carrying out this vital but frequently hazardous work.
The world has never been in more urgent need of humanitarians. Did you know that in 2022, still over 300 million people require humanitarian assistance worldwide as a cause of both natural and man-made catastrophes? This is a significant increase from the decades-high number of people in need last year. World Humanitarian Day serves as a reminder that the need for selfless humanitarian workers is growing.
Now you have a better understanding of what this day is and now you are wondering what you can do. The easiest way for businesses or individuals to observe this day is to promote this year’s campaign on social media using the hashtags #ItTakesAVillage and #WorldHumanitarianDay and to let friends, family, and followers know why it's so crucial to participate. You can also join the campaign here.
Hosting live conversations on your social channels to highlight humanitarian work under the campaign theme is a great way as well.
The goal of humanitarian aid is to lessen suffering and uphold human dignity, hence providing humanitarian aid does not necessarily require going to a war area. You can carry out acts of kindness from where you love. Check in on a homeless shelter, a nursing home, a hospital or places that helps underprivileged children.
Every day, countless amazing humanitarian groups carry out vital work and they are in need of resources. As an individual, you can support their ongoing efforts by donating your time or money.
These donations would help increase the resources available for workers and increase the aid to struggling communities.
You can choose your favourite humanitarian organisation, search online or check out Crisis Relief from United Nations.
Want to be part of a team who always puts people first and thrives to give back to the community in any way possible?
Join us at EMPAUA to make the impact!
