Statement by President Michael D. Higgins to mark World Humanitarian Day, 19 August
Date: Sun 19th Aug, 2018 | 09:00
President Michael D. Higgins today (19 August) marked World Humanitarian Day, highlighting the importance of international cooperation to address the needs of civilians affected by violent conflicts:
“In December 2008 the United Nations General Assembly designated 19 August as World Humanitarian Day, to honour aid workers who were killed or harmed in the context of their work.
As we honour those who devote their lives to aiding others, we are also calling to mind the suffering of millions of people whose lives and communities are being destroyed by violent conflict.
Around the world, a record number of 65 million people have been forced to flee their homes, and civilian populations are increasingly targeted in deliberate breaches of international humanitarian law.
We can take pride in Ireland’s strong track record of providing support to peace keepers and to the victims of conflict and natural disasters.
On World Humanitarian Day let us commit to building on this experience and encourage each other to take actions – and to call for policies – that help bring an end to poverty and violence.”