Statement by President Michael D. Higgins marking World Humanitarian Day
Date: Fri 18th Aug, 2017 | 20:15
19 August 2017
Marking World Humanitarian Day, President Michael D. Higgins today highlighted the importance of international cooperation to meet the needs of the world’s most vulnerable people:
“Today, on World Humanitarian Day, we remember those aid workers who have been wounded, kidnapped or killed in the course of their work. It is, equally, a day to honour the humanity of those who, on our behalf, continue to respond to human suffering, irrespective of creed, colour or circumstance.
Their work reminds us of our shared humanity, and our shared vulnerabilities as people.
At a time that more than 65 million people have been forced to flee their homes and millions more depend on international aid, we are reminded that we can all, at State and citizen level, be humanitarians.
We can take pride in Ireland’s strong track record of support to the victims of conflict and natural disasters. And we can encourage each other to take actions – and to call for policies – that help bring an end to poverty and violence.”