World Humanitarian Day

19 August

International

Why this date

Anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, which killed 22 people.

About the day

Designated by the UN General Assembly in 2008. Among those killed in the 2003 Canal Hotel bombing in Baghdad was the UN Special Representative Sérgio Vieira de Mello. The day honours aid workers and people affected by crises.

Observed by

United Nations