Thursday, Aug 20, 2026 09:45 [IST]
Last Update: Wednesday, Aug 19, 2026 16:34 [IST]
Humanitarian workers stand up for people in need
The recent floods in a few districts of upper Assam has brought many questions in front of us. We have lost more than 100 individuals and more than lakhs are directly affected apart from others. The damage and destruction it has brought would take years to heal for many families. The immediate support and relief extended by people of the state is praiseworthy. Many people from all over the state and other parts of the country took part in flood relief programmes in different ways. The support has shown humanitarian aid and support for the victims of the flood.
Like the floods there are many other disasters which include natural and manmade in which humanitarian assistance is needed. When lives are at risk, the people who come to help should never be targets. Yet humanitarian workers continue to be killed, injured, abducted, detained and obstructed while carrying out their work. Most are national staff serving their own communities.
Attacks on humanitarian personnel have consequences far beyond the individuals directly affected. They interrupt food deliveries, health care, protection and other life-saving services, leaving communities with even fewer ways to survive and recover. Under international humanitarian law, civilians — including humanitarian and medical personnel — must be respected and protected. Parties to armed conflict must allow and facilitate humanitarian relief for people in need, in accordance with international humanitarian law.
On 19 August, we mark World Humanitarian Day (WHD), a time to honour humanitarian workers and to stand with people affected by crises around the world. International law and humanitarian principles must be upheld in practice. Preventing attacks, protecting humanitarian access and ensuring accountability are essential to preserving life and human dignity. The day honours the lives of humanitarian workers, their service and legacy, while renewing the call to protect those who continue this work.
On 19 August 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killed 22 humanitarian workers, including the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Five years later, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 63/139, designating 19 August as World Humanitarian Day.
Each year, WHD brings 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 humanitarian workers. The day is a campaign by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
We should know that by the end of May 2026, more than 252 million people were in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and protection — 13 million more than when the 2026 Global Humanitarian Overview was launched. As of 31 May 2026, humanitarian plans required US$33.66 billion and had received US$8.21 billion — 24.4 percent of the amount required. OCHA reported that at least 326 humanitarian workers were killed across 21 countries in 2025, bringing the number killed over the three-year period to more than 1,000. The United Nations recorded more than 37,000 civilian deaths across 20 armed conflicts in 2025 — approximately one recorded civilian death every 14 minutes.
The day has been declared as humanitarian workers faced many challenges. There are many humanitarian workers who are working mostly voluntarily in the flood affected areas of Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat and Golaghat . Let us encourage the voluntary humanitarian workers who have been rendering their selfless services for the people. This day gives us an opportunity to thank all the humanitarian workers around the world for their services.
(With direct inputs from the UN publication and feedback may be sent to bkranjan@gmail.com)
