|Department of Public Information • News and Media Division •
New York| On Humanitarian Day, World Renews Commitment to Life-
Saving Relief Efforts, Remembers Those Who Died Serving ‘Noble
Cause’, Says Secretary-General Following is UN Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon’s message for World Humanitarian Day, observed 19
August: On World Humanitarian Day, we renew our commitment to
life-saving relief efforts — and remember those who died while
serving this noble cause. People who have lived through terrible
events are often left with nothing. No family; no food; no
shelter; no job. Not even a passport or ID paper. Humanitarian
workers help them get back on their feet to restart their lives.
Aid workers are the envoys we send to show our solidarity with
suffering. They represent what is best in human nature. But
their work is dangerous. Often, they venture to some of the most
perilous places on earth. And often, they pay a heavy price.
Harassment and intimidation. Kidnapping and even murder.
January’s earthquake in Ha