Brasília – The number of people in the world who require humanitarian aid has never been so high in history. So has warned the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha). On this Tuesday (19th), World Humanitarian Day, the organization sets out to raise awareness to humanitarian issues and international cooperation efforts to support people in situations of extreme vulnerability.
The date marks the worst attack ever to a UN building, 11 years ago in Baghdad. The attack caused the deaths of 22 employees, including Brazil’s Sergio Vieira de Mello, then the special representative of the UN secretary general in Iraq.
According to the Ocha, this is a day for remembering all the people who have lost their lives while performing humanitarian services and to celebrate the spirit that inspires said work around the world. “Thousands of people around the globe are doing amazing work every day, but unfortunately some pay too high a price. On this World Humanitarian Day, we honour these people who have faced danger to help the neediest.”
One of the countries that require humanitarian aid the most today, according to the UN, is Syria, where nearly half the population – 10.8 million people – needs assistance. The scenario is considered the main humanitarian crisis in the world today, since the struggle between government forces and opposing groups makes working in the region difficult.
In Brasília, the date will be marked by the launch of a postage stamp honouring Sergio Vieira de Mello. In Mogadishu, Somalia, a 5 kilometre trek/race will take place. In London, England, a crown of flowers will be placed at the Westminster Abbey. The UN should release an overview of the humanitarian scenario worldwide.
Furthermore, Doctors Without Borders (MSF, in the French acronym) warns of the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. A total of 675 agents are providing assistance to the victims and the organization says these countries need further aid. “More professionals to “get their hands dirty’ are crucial in order to help implement and develop new approaches and strategies,” the organization has said in a press release.
MSF has added that it needs not only epidemiologists, physicians and Ebola specialists, but also people with backgrounds in disaster management. As all health services turn to fighting the spread of the virus, basic attention is put on the back burner. According to the organization, this may cause an increase in deaths by common causes such as malaria and diarrhoea.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
