As we mark World Humanitarian Day on 19 August, WHO pays tribute to humanitarian and health workers who put their duty of care above their own safety and, too often, their own lives, as they serve communities affected by conflict and crises.

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World Humanitarian Day was designated by the UN General Assembly in 2008 to commemorate the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad and honour aid workers worldwide. 

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This year's global campaign, led by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), focuses on "Families of Fallen Humanitarians", highlighting the personal stories of aid workers through the voices of families, loved ones, and the communities they left behind.

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For WHO, World Humanitarian Day is an opportunity to honour the memory of colleagues and health workers who lost their lives in the line of duty, while recognizing the dedication of health workers who continue to provide care in some of the world's most challenging and dangerous environments.

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In 2012, the World Health Assembly requested WHO to provide global leadership in the systematic collection and dissemination of information on attacks on health care through Resolution WHA65.20. In 2016, United Nations Security Council resolution 2286 condemned attacks against medical facilities and personnel in conflict and called for stronger compliance with international humanitarian law, reporting and accountability.

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Ten years after resolution 2286, attacks on health care continue at an unacceptable scale. Since December 2017, when WHO’s Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care was launched, WHO has documented more than 10400 attacks on health care across 29 countries and territories, resulting in more than 5700 deaths and 8500 injuries.  

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So far this year, WHO recorded 914 attacks on health care, resulting in 911 deaths and 1486 injuries, with the majority of attacks being reported in Ukraine, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory and Myanmar.

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On World Humanitarian Day, WHO reiterates its call for all parties to conflict to respect and protect health workers, patients, health facilities and medical transport in accordance with international humanitarian law. Protecting health care means protecting lives, ensuring access to essential services and preserving the resilience of health systems when they are needed most.