19 August
World Humanitarian Day takes place annually on 19 August, to honour humanitarian workers and promote awareness of humanitarian efforts globally.
As conflicts become more intense, complex and protracted globally, attacks on humanitarians, civilians, civilian infrastructure and health care – that is health facilities, health workers, infrastructure, transportation and related services – have become increasingly common, often in clear violation of international laws.
Since the beginning of 2024, WHO has verified over 700 attacks on health care across 13 countries and territories.
Attacks on health care are a violation of international humanitarian law.
Health workers, patients, health facilities and supplies must never be attacked and must be actively protected by all parties to a conflict.
Our message for this year’s World Humanitarian Day is to stop the normalization of attacks on humanitarians, prevent civilian suffering and end impunity under international humanitarian law and other international agreements.