Today, August 19, 2014 is World Humanitarian Day. A day designated to honor those who dedicate their lives to humanity’s betterment, most especially those whom have lost their lives for the cause. According to WorldHumanitarianDay.org,
“World Humanitarian Day falls on August 19, the day in 2003 when 22 aid workers were killed in a bombing at the UN headquarters in Baghdad. It’s a day to commemorate all people who have lost their lives in humanitarian service and to celebrate the spirit that inspires humanitarian work around the world.”
Today, we say, “thank you”; today, we say, “how can we help?”; today, we say “enough’s enough!” Be brave and compassionate. People all over the world need your help in more ways than one. Many need financial help, many need shelter, many are starving and need food, many are persecuted for their own beliefs or race and need relief. Relief – a word most of us take for granted. I’m not talking about relief on your lunch break, or relief the school semester is over. I’m talking about a good restful relief, where a person’s turmoil and persecution is no longer in the picture (whether it be temporary or permanent).
With crises in countries ranging from China to Myanmar to Nigeria to Ukraine, humanitarian relief is stretched thin. The country of Haiti has been brought to ruins as a result of a major earthquake several years ago; and is still working tirelessly to pull themselves together, on top of fighting poverty, violence, and disease. In Iraq and Israel, Christians of all ages are being exiled from their homes, persecuted, and brutally murdered for not converting to Islam. Turkey has been kind enough to take in these refugees, but now needs humanitarian aid to help them provide for these displaced peoples. Famine, persecution, poverty, violence, and disease are just a few of the main problems humanitarians are trying to combat.
Humanitarian is defined as: 1) Having concern for or helping to improve the welfare and happiness of people; and 2) Involved in improving people’s lives and reducing suffering. It is important to protect these people who are going out risking their lives for other’s health and wellness. Thankfully, the World Health Organization (WHO) finds “protecting those who care for the sick and vulnerable in the world’s most difficult circumstances is one of the most pressing responsibilities of the international community.” Yet, even WHO cannot provide the protection humanitarians need on a regular basis. Today honors those who go out in the face of danger for the other man, to give him the chance at a better life.
There are thousands and thousands of these humanitarians around the world, and yet still we need more. There are so many ways you can help!
Give Financially: For example, UNICEF offers proven, low-cost preventative care to children around the world regardless of income, ethnicity, or location. Donate here.
Raise Awareness: BE PART OF A GLOBAL COMMUNITY THAT STANDS UP FOR HUMANITY at WorldHumanitarianDay.org.
Get Involved: There are government agencies, non-profits, volunteer organizations, shelters, churches, and many more groups you can be a part of and help make a difference in someone’s life. Check out MeetUp.com, and see if there are any groups in your area helping others in need.
