• As the world celebrates World Humanitarian Day on August 19, 2024 it's a time to honor the selfless individuals who are always ready to sacrifice their comfort for the greater good. These humanitarians, with their unwavering commitment, venture into the most dangerous and life-threatening conditions to provide relief to those in need. Their actions inspire us and remind us of the power of selflessness.
  • As the United Nations celebrates World Humanitarian Day, they reminisce 2023 as the worst year ever recorded for humanitarians, and they foresee 2024 being even worse.
  • UN has lamented that the world is failing humanitarian workers and, extensively, the people they serve. They are disturbed that the universally accepted international laws governing the conduct of armed conflict and limiting its conduct are violated with no action towards offering justice to the affected as the perpetrators continue walking freely.
  • On this World Humanitarian Day, they demand that these violations and punitive acts cease immediately. They have appealed to those in power to take responsibility and end impunity against humanitarians.
As the world celebrates World Humanitarian Day on August 19, 2024, it's a time to honor the selfless individuals who are always ready to sacrifice their comfort for the greater good. These humanitarians, with their unwavering commitment, venture into the most dangerous and life-threatening conditions to provide relief to those in need. Their actions inspire us and remind us of the power of selflessness.

Humanitarians work tirelessly in crises, natural disasters, and even in the midst of the most severe wars. In these challenging conditions, they risk their lives to help others. Their dedication and bravery deserve our empathy and support.

Humanitarians hold on to the four piloting principles, which are integral in establishing and maintaining support for people facing hunger and other life misfortunes amidst armed conflicts and natural disasters. These principles include humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.

The principles reflect that they hold at heart the respect of human beings to the extent of risking their lives to get to the conflict hot zones to address the issues of human suffering.

Humanitarians never take sides in conflicts that breed hostility. They steer clear of political, racial, or religious controversies. This neutrality reassures us that their focus is solely on providing aid, regardless of the circumstances.

Humanitarians' work is grounded on the basis of need only, prioritising the neediest cases without any partiality on gender, nationality, belief, race, political opinion or affiliation.

They are determined to save and change lives for the betterment of the human race. Thus, they separate themselves from any objectives related to politics, the military, economics, and other involved parties.

Boniface Wanganju is one of the programme associates at Kakuma, working with the World Food Programme (WFP). He says that the job has taught him tremendous lessons. It has taught him humility, and that the position he is at the moment has very little to do with him.

"I joined WFP eight years ago. The toughest moment in my career is being forced to deliver the news to the beneficiaries that we are cutting down rations. Looking at the faces of the women and the men, the hopelessness that you see in their faces, knowing that they have nothing more, and they can't save, are some of the difficult tough moments that I feel I have to face," he said.

These are the moments that remind us of the impact of their work on the lives of the most vulnerable.

Although Boniface finds deep fulfilment in helping and working with vulnerable communities, he misses spending precious time with his family. This is a sacrifice that many humanitarians make, often at the cost of their personal lives, to serve those in need.

"I miss out on seeing my family and my kids grow, but still, I feel the lessons that I learned from working here, are something that I would not give up," he stated. This resilience and dedication in the face of personal sacrifice is what makes humanitarians truly admirable.

As the United Nations celebrates World Humanitarian Day, they reminisce 2023 as the worst year ever recorded for humanitarians, and they foresee 2024 being even worse.
UN has lamented that the world is failing humanitarian workers and, extensively, the people they serve. They are disturbed that the universally accepted international laws governing the conduct of armed conflict and limiting its conduct are violated with no action towards offering justice to the affected as the perpetrators continue walking freely.

The UN has strongly condemned the attacks on humanitarian workers and humanitarian assets, including civilians and civilian infrastructure. The greatest challenge is the failure of those in power to take action on these issues.

On this World Humanitarian Day, they demand that these violations and punitive acts cease immediately. They have appealed to those in power to take responsibility and end impunity against humanitarians.