World Humanitarian Day was established by the United Nations in 2009 to honor humanitarian aid workers throughout the world, both those currently providing humanitarian assistance and those who have lost their lives in their humanitarian work. It’s held on August 19 each year to commemorate the anniversary of the bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Iraq, in which 22 people lost their lives, including the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights. Humanitarian aid workers provide life-saving assistance to people in need all over the world who are suffering for a number of reasons, but especially those who live in conflict zones or have been affected by a natural disaster. Anyone and everyone can be a humanitarian, so read on to learn more about the day and how you can help.

-nationaltoday.com