The United Nations has called for international support to address humanitarian crises. The UN held a ceremony at its headquarters in New York Friday to mark World Humanitarian Day. About 200 people attended, including UN employees and ambassadors from member-countries.
The UN designated August 19th World Humanitarian Day in 2008 in order to raise awareness of the worldwide need for humanitarian assistance. The date marks the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, which killed 22 UN staffers, including a special representative.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson attended the ceremony on behalf of UN Chief Ban Ki-moon, who was abroad.
He said the UN meets the challenge all over the world, including Syria, South Sudan, Yemen and Somalia, where humanitarian workers and peacekeepers have lost their lives or are risking them.
Secretary-General Ban issued a statement saying that 130 million people are now dependent on humanitarian assistance. He called on governments and societies around the world to prioritize humanity.