2014 World Humanitarian Day (Aired Newstalk)

COMMEMORATING THE 2014 WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY, 
  TODAY TUESDAY AUGUST 19

      

Today being 19^th of August 2014, the world over is marking the World Humanitarian Day. The World Humanitarian Day is an annual and international day dedicated to recognize humanitarian personnel and those who have lost their lives while working for humanitarian causes. The event was designated by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly as part of a Swedish-sponsored General-Assembly Resolution on the strengthening of the coordination of Emergency Assistance of the United Nations.

The World Humanitarian Day is a time to recognize those who face danger and adversity while helping others. The day was set aside by the UN General Assembly to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad – Iraq, which claimed twenty-two (22) lives including the live of the then Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to Iraq – Sergio Vieira de Mello.

The invention of August 19 as World Humanitarian Day was the outcome of the relentless efforts of Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation coupled with the partnership of the deceased’s family with the Ambassadors of France, Switzerland, Japan, as well as Brazil in both Geneva and New York tabling and steering the draft resolution through the UN General Assembly. All the efforts of the Foundation was to ensure that the tragic loss of Vieira de Mello and his twenty-one (21) colleagues, and all the humanitarian personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifices in relieving the suffering of the victims of humanitarian crises were not in vain.

Sergio Vieira de Mello who was a citizen of Brazil – South America dedicated his lifetime spanning over thirty years in the United Nations, serving in some of the most challenging humanitarian situations in the world to reach the voiceless victims of armed conflict, alleviate their suffering and draw global attention to their plight. His death alongside twenty-one of his colleagues on 19^th August 2003 in Baghdad – Iraq, deprived the victims of armed conflict worldwide of a unique humanitarian leader of unmatched courage, drive and empathy who championed their cause fearlessly and clearly engraved their plight on the world map.

The tragic event also robbed the humanitarian community of an outstanding leader and intellectual whose thought, philosophy, dynamism and courage inspired all, and remains a timeless legacy to emulate by generations yet unborn. Mindful of this legacy, in 2006 the family of the late humanitarian icon and a group of close friends founded the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation dedicated to continue his unfinished mission of encouraging dialogue between communities and relieving the predicament faced by the victims of humanitarian crises.

The World Humanitarian Day was commemorated for the first time on 19^th August 2009. Suffice to say that, this year’s commemoration is the sixth of its kind in the history of the worthwhile event. As the international community marks the event today, we are all urged to borrow a leaf from the indelible landmark achievements of the great warrior and legend – Sergio Vieira de Mello.

Surely, the most important thing to any man remains his/her welfare. Welfare could be referred to as one’s well-being; or, organized efforts to ensure the basic well-being of people in need. Since the term ‘Humanitarian’ has to do with human welfare, it is of no need reiterating the fact that this remarkable event widely known and recognized as World Humanitarian Day was set aside to sensitize mankind on the cogent need for people to help one another, and for anyone to support any crusade that is targeted at promoting lending hand to persons that are in need or victimized.       

Since no one ever wishes to be in a community or society made up of only him/her, thus, we ought to ensure that the sustenance of the well-being of our relatives, friends, colleagues or associates as the case may be, is at all times our civic responsibility.  

 

         COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Public Affairs analyst & Social Crusader

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