World Humanitarian Day 2025 - UN Geneva Commemoration…

On 19 August 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killed 22 humanitarian aid workers, including the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Five years later, the General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 19 August as World Humanitarian Day (WHD).

Since then, WHD has become OCHA's annual flagship campaign. Each year, WHD focuses on a theme, bringing together partners from across the humanitarian system to advocate for the survival, well-being and dignity of people affected by crises, and for the safety and security of aid workers.

This year, we call for an end to the attacks on humanitarians and civilians and impunity under International Humanitarian Law. We urge those in power to #ActForHumanity.

Speakers at the Geneva commemoration will include:

Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General, UNOG

Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

Nada Al-Nashif, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights

Abdul-Karim Hashim Mostafa, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq to the UN in Geneva

Dhafer Al-Hussini, Human Rights Officer, OHCHR and survivor of the 19 August 2003 terrorist attack on the UN Offices in Baghdad

Laura Johnson, Executive Secretary, UNOG Staff Union