Celebrations held around the world to commemorate World Humanitarian Day 2015

(New York, 20 August 2015) – More than 40 countries around the world commemorated World Humanitarian Day (WHD) this week with variety of festivities, including live music concerts, football matches, photo exhibitions and parades, to celebrate aid workers and advocate for humanitarian action under this year’s overarching theme – “Inspiring the World’s Humanity.”

While the focus of WHD this year has been on the #ShareHumanity social media campaign – which aims to raise awareness of humanitarian crises across the globe – local and international NGOs, governments, the United Nations, academia and the public at large held celebratory events and memorials across six continents to commemorate the day.

In New York, an event took place on 18 August in the ECOSOC Chamber at United Nations Headquarters with special musical performances by Colombian superstar Juanes, the Malian-French singer-songwriter Inna Modja, and Australian popstar Cody Simpson. The event included films, projections and speeches by the Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon and Under-Secretary-General Stephen O’Brien. #ShareHumanity campaign videos were also projected in Times Square and in New York City taxicabs across the city. On 19 August, a wreath-laying ceremony was organised by the Staff Association and attended by the Secretary-General.

The international community at Expo Milano (EXPO2015) in Milan marked the day with an official opening ceremony, a large-scale humanitarian parade and a panel debate on hunger – moderated by a well-known RAI foreign affairs reporter and anchor – with high-level representatives from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit, the World Food Programme (WFP), the European Commission (ECHO), the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Sahel.

In Geneva, more than 200 participants attended a lively debate held in the Palais des Nations on the impact of the Sustainable Development Goals on humanitarian work, co-hosted by OCHA Geneva and the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG). This was followed by a commemorative ceremony recognizing humanitarian workers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The Sérgio Vieira de Mello Award was also presented to this year’s winner, the Interfaith Peace Platform from the Central African Republic.

In Istanbul, Turkey – host of the World Humanitarian Summit to be held next May – the Government’s disaster and emergency body, AFAD, hosted an event and public exhibition featuring photographs, videos and art. This was followed by a ceremony including officials from the Turkish Government, the United Nations, artists, and representatives from affected communities, including Syrian refugee communities.

In Dubai, celebrities, journalists and representatives from UN agencies, international NGOs and the Government gathered to support humanitarian action, under the patronage of UN Messenger of Peace and Chairperson of International Humanitarian City, Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Activities included a gathering in the Dubai Mall for distribution of information and promotional materials and a competition for the best humanitarian image and best humanitarian story on social media channels. The event also included a moment of solidarity with humanitarians.

In Beijing, a WHD event was held which included a panel discussion hosted by the Communication University of China. Australia hosted an event at the Parliament House in Canberra. In Japan, an event was held with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Kobe Institute of Computing, featuring videos, speeches, presentations from humanitarians, and a photo slide show on Nepal shedding light on the people affected by the Nepal earthquake and the Fukushima nuclear disaster. In Haiti, a special theatre forum was organized focusing on specific areas including cholera and food security. Lebanon hosted an event at the UNESCO Palace in Beirut which included a tribute to fallen humanitarians from the Red Cross and Civil Defense, and an exhibition, video screenings, a panel discussion. In Syria, performances and plays were held at Damascus University.

More than 10 countries in Africa hosted a variety of celebrations, including a street photo exhibition in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, a week-long series of events in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and a commemorative event in Juba, South Sudan, attended by more than 150 Government representatives, donors and humanitarian partners.

Video content – including video messages by the Secretary-General and the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, and a WHD promotional film – are available with subtitles in French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Turkish, Bahasa and Japanese, upon request.

Media contact Natasha Scripture, OCHA New York, (+1) 917 367 4432, scripture@un.org

About World Humanitarian Day August 19 marks the anniversary of the 2003 United Nations Headquarters bombing in Baghdad, which claimed the lives of 22 people. In an effort to raise awareness of humanitarian assistance worldwide – and the people who risk their lives to provide it – the United Nations General Assembly in 2008 designated August 19 as World Humanitarian Day.