World Humanitarian Day 2023

World Humanitarian Day 2023: six humanitarian workers from Greece share their stories

On World Humanitarian Day, which is marked every year on 19 August, we come together to honour humanitarians around the world who strive to meet ever-growing global needs, risking their lives in the line of duty. This World Humanitarian Day we share the inspiring stories of six UNHCR Greek colleagues who work in the field in different parts of the world trying to offer life-saving support, safeguard human rights and help people forced to flee build a better future.

With forced displacement numbers rising due to conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, the continuous tragedy in Sudan, as well as the human rights impact of the climate crisis, more people than ever are today uprooted from their homes, which points to the urgency of immediate and collective action. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is present in 135 countries to protect people forced to flee, and to support countries that continue to generously host refugees.

This year’s World Humanitarian Day marks the twentieth anniversary since the 2003 bomb attack on the UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, which killed 22 UN staff and injured 150 local and international aid workers.

So far this year, 62 humanitarian workers have been killed in crises around the world, 84 have been wounded and 33 kidnapped[1]. Still, despite the security and access challenges, humanitarians in different parts of the globe continue to honour their commitment to deliver for the communities they serve, no matter who, no matter where and #NoMatterWhat.

We asked our colleagues what humanitarian action means to them and what gives them motivation and hope, as they work together with the refugee communities to make our world a better place. Which are the greatest challenges they have faced working in the field, from Mexico to Chad and Greece and from DRC to Ukraine, Moldova and Jordan? Which are the moments they can never forget and what does solidarity mean in action?

We invite you to read their answers and join us this World Humanitarian Day in calling for the protection, well-being and dignity of all people affected by crises, and for the safety and security of the aid workers who support them.

[1] According to provisional data from the Aid Worker Security Database research team at Humanitarian Outcomes.