Join the United Nations on August 19th to celebrate World Humanitarian Day. This day focusses on “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.”
Each year has a theme – this year it highlights the impact of the climate crisis on vulnerable people across the globe, using the hashtag: #TheHumanRace. Join in with 100 minutes of an activity of your choice (e.g., walking, swimming, biking) between August 16th and 31st to prompt our political leaders to follow-through on their $100 billion promise of annual support for climate action in developing countries.
Humanitarians serve locally as well. I’m from British Columbia, Canada, a province currently struggling with over 1,500 wildfires in the past 5 months. People and animals have been evacuated from many communities across the province – and humanitarian aid has come in such diverse forms as trailering horses and cattle to a safe location, providing food and accommodation for displaced residents, fighting the fires, and counselling traumatized victims.
As you celebrate World Humanitarian Day this week, thank your local humanitarians, contribute what you can towards international humanitarian efforts, and join #TheHumanRace to take a stand for long-promised climate action. And – bring a much needed spirit of kindness to all you do!
This year, we highlight the immediate human cost of the climate crisis by pressuring world leaders to take meaningful climate action for the world’s most vulnerable people.