World Humanitarian Day: UNOCHA Regional Office for the Pacific Op-Ed

19th August 2015, Suva, Fiji

With Pacific Islanders still recovering from Tropical Cyclones Pam, Maysak and Raquel, and the region facing one of its toughest disaster seasons on record, World Humanitarian Day is an important opportunity for us all to reflect on the humanitarian challenges ahead. El Niño is set to bring drought and more intense cyclones over the coming months. People in this region are no strangers to disaster, with Pacific island nations making up four of the top 10 countries on the 2014 World Risk Index. Cyclones and the effects of climate change are ever-present humanitarian threats and Pacific governments are well prepared to respond. But with these disasters now occurring with greater frequency and intensity, we all need to step up our efforts. We cannot and must not turn our backs on the world’s most vulnerable people, nor accept that their suffering is inevitable.

On World Humanitarian Day, we call for a more humane world and seek to inspire action from people all over the Pacific to bring this about. August 19 marks the anniversary of the 2003 United Nations Headquarters bombing in Baghdad that claimed the lives of 22 people. Today we honour their sacrifice by considering what we can do to make a difference to the lives of others. Today, we celebrate the spirit that inspires global humanitarian action in all its forms.

Hundreds of proud humanitarians are currently trying to improve the lives of people across the Pacific, including those who are rebuilding their lives after Tropical Cyclone Pam hit in March this year. The cyclone affected almost 200,000 people across the region and killed 11 in one of the worst disasters ever to strike the Pacific. It is pleasing to see Vanuatu is now moving from response into recovery mode and it is in no small part thanks to the efforts of local, regional and international humanitarians who have been working around the clock to provide assistance to affected people. Their contributions, both big and small, are nothing short of inspiring. From the local community members chipping-in to clear their village roads with chainsaws, to international aid workers supporting displaced island communities to return home, there are daily reminders that the spirit of humanity is alive and well.

Disasters such as Cyclone Pam remind us of the region’s vulnerability and have put humanitarian issues front-and-centre of public debate. Momentum is now building ahead of the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in May 2016 and World Humanitarian Day is an opportunity to consider how we can all reshape aid in the face of growing need. The Summit will be a global rallying cry for humanity where world leaders from government, business and communities will commit to international action to save more lives and search for solutions to the enormous humanitarian challenges ahead. The Pacific has just wrapped up its consultations in preparation for Istanbul where there was a clear message that affected and vulnerable communities, including women, girls, the elderly and people with disabilities, need to be at the centre of humanitarian action. We need to ensure that outside humanitarian assistance is tailored to the needs of affected people so that communities get the right help, from the right people, at the right time. There’s also a strong regional commitment to collaborate on building more resilient communities so that they can meet the challenges of the future, including climate change. The World Humanitarian Summit consultations have been an unprecedented opportunity to discuss these needs with the global humanitarian community and ensure the Pacific’s voice is heard.

In our digitally connected world, it’s easier than ever to communicate humanitarian messages across the globe as part of a united effort to improve people’s lives. This year’s World Humanitarian Day online campaign will see people right around the planet sharing the stories of those affected by humanitarian crises, showcasing their dignity, strength and humanity to inspire us all. Using the hashtag #ShareHumanity, celebrities, influential individuals and the public will today donate their social media feeds in order to reach out globally with the real human stories that are behind today's headlines. Visit http://www.worldhumanitarianday.org/ to find out more. On World Humanitarian Day, this is just one way for us all to get involved in a global movement towards a better, safer world.

Vincent Omuga
Deputy Head of Office
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Regional Office for the Pacific, Suva, Fiji.