World Humanitarian Day-2025: 19 August

Why in News ?

• World Humanitarian Day is celebrated every year on 19 August.
• The theme of World Humanitarian Day 2025 is "Strengthening global solidarity and empowering local communities"

Key Points:

• This day honors all those workers who help people in distress without caring about life.
• It sensitizes the world community to the importance of crisis management and disaster relief.
• It inspires people to help persons trapped in distress.
• It highlights the importance of protection of human rights and peace building in war and disaster affected areas.

History and Background

• The United Nations officially established this day in 2008.
• The main reason for this is the commemoration of the attack on the UN convoy in Baghdad, Iraq on 19 August 2003, in which 22 people were martyred. These included 17 humanitarian workers.

How it is celebrated

• Felicitation ceremony: Humanitarian workers working in crisis areas are felicitated.
• Social awareness programs: Schools, colleges and institutions raise awareness through seminars, workshops and poster competitions.
• Media and social platforms: Stories of humanitarian efforts around the world are shared through documentaries, short videos and reports.

Relevance in India

• India actively provides relief work during natural disasters (floods, earthquakes, cyclones) and social crises (refugees, displaced communities).
• Governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play an active role in humanitarian work.
• Training programs, awareness campaigns and felicitation ceremonies are organized in India on this day.