World Humanitarian Day 

About World Humanitarian Day 

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Dates of World Humanitarian Day
2027 United Nations Thursday, August 19thWorld Humanitarian Day  2026 United Nations Wednesday, August 19thWorld Humanitarian Day  2025 United Nations Tuesday, August 19thWorld Humanitarian Day  2024 United Nations Monday, August 19thWorld Humanitarian Day  2023 United Nations Saturday, August 19thWorld Humanitarian Day
Summary
A day to pay tribute to aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service, and to rally support for people affected by crises around the world.

On World Humanitarian Day, we honor the humanitarian workers around the world who need protection and support more than ever as they carry out their life-saving work. On this day, we remember the sacrifice made by the thousands of aid workers who have been killed, injured, or kidnapped. 

On August 19th 2003, a terrorist attack hit the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, killing 22 people. Among those who lost their lives was Sergio Vieira de Mello, the UN’s top representative in Iraq.

Five years later, the General Assembly adopted a resolution designating August 19th as World Humanitarian Day (WHD).

Every year since then, the humanitarian community has organized global campaigns to commemorate WHD, advocating for the safety and security of humanitarian aid workers, and for the survival, well-being and dignity of people affected by crises.

Find out more Explore more Human Rights holidays All events on August 19th 2026