UN Declares August 19 as World Humanitarian Day After Baghdad Attack

Five years after the Baghdad bombing, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution in 2008 to mark August 19 as World Humanitarian Day. The resolution was driven by the need to keep the memory of the 22 aid workers alive and to spotlight the ongoing dangers that humanitarian personnel encounter in conflict and disaster settings. Each year, the day is used to launch global campaigns that stress the protection of aid workers, the adherence to international humanitarian law, and the vital role of humanitarian assistance in saving lives.