Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Ravina Shamdasani
Location: Geneva
Date: 18 August 2023
Subject: World Humanitarian Day
World Humanitarian Day was established in response to a brutal suicide bomb attack 20 years ago in Baghdad, targeting
the UN. Twenty-two of our colleagues were killed and 150 were injured. Today we are also remembering colleagues who were
killed and injured in other countries, including Rwanda, Afghanistan, Haiti and elsewhere.
We honour the thousands of colleagues who work every day amidst conflict or disaster with the sole objective of saving
lives and helping the people who need help most.
Today, we honour the memory of those we lost too soon, and stand in solidarity with those who continue to work despite
the odds. We take inspiration from their strength, resilience and deep commitment to our shared humanity.