TODAY is World Humanitarian Day, the day we honour those who
have lost their lives working to help others and remember the
essential contribution that humanitarian workers are making
around the world. Attacks on aid workers are a horrific reality
in a world where more and more people need help as a result of
natural disasters, and where ongoing and new conflicts affect
the lives of tens of millions of people. Humanitarian workers
are putting their lives at risk every day in some difficult and
dangerous places. It is important that we remember them every
time a crisis unfolds. We are well aware that it is ordinary men
and women who are the first to respond when disaster strikes.
Local people and community workers are the first on the scene
and deliver the vast majority of humanitarian help. When local
help is not enough, regional and international organisations
provide additional support. Humanitarian needs are growing
around the world because of the effects of climate change,
migration from rural to the poore