Together in the Name of Humanity

An exhibition "Together in the Name of Humanity!", dedicated to World Humanitarian Day, is on show in the Documents of International Organizations Reading Room (207g) from August 5 to September 5.

World Humanitarian Day was established at the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly in December 2008. (Resolution A/RES/63/139) and is celebrated on August 19 annually. This date was chosen as a tribute to the humanitarian workers whose lives were claimed on August 19, 2003 by an explosion at the UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq. Among them was a special representative of the UN Secretary-General, Sergio Vieira de Mello.

Every year, natural disasters and armed conflicts bring hardship and deprivation to millions of people. The world is experiencing a powerful wave of humanitarian crises caused by climate change and disease outbreaks, including the COVID-19 pandemic. In these difficult circumstances, humanitarian workers around the world are providing vital assistance to people living in disaster zones, homeless or people forced to leave their homes. The fundamental principles of humanitarian work are humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence: assistance is provided to all those in need of support and rehabilitation, regardless of the place of residence, nationality, social affiliation, religion, sex, race or any other characteristics.

In 2020, the world's hunger situation has deteriorated dramatically: about 811 million people, or a tenth of the world's population, didn't get enough food. If the current trend continues, while according to the Sustainable Development Goals hunger must be ended by 2030, some 660 million people will continue to suffer from malnutrition, which could undo decades of efforts and achievements of the human progress. Most likely, such a significant increase is associated with the pandemic, but this is far from the only reason.

According to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the United Nations and its partners plan to help 160 million people this year; it's the highest figure in history.

Every year, the World Humanitarian Day campaign focuses on the pressing issues of our time. In 2021, its theme was the losses already suffered by humankind as a result of natural disasters and crises provoked by climate change. The symbol and motto of the 2021 campaign is the race against time, which humanity needs to win, because millions of people have already felt the effects of inexorable climate change. As a rule, the most vulnerable and distressed part of the world's population is the one that made the least contribution to the development of the climate crisis, but suffers its most severe consequences.

The proposed thematic exhibition reveals various aspects of international cooperation in the provision of humanitarian assistance. The exhibition presents about 90 publications: publications of foreign and domestic authors, documents of international organizations in Russian and English.

The exhibition includes the following thematic sections:

• International organizations providing humanitarian assistance.
• World experience in providing humanitarian assistance.
• International Humanitarian Law.
• The Chernobyl disaster and international humanitarian aid.

The exhibition is addressed to specialists and researchers, teachers, students, as well as everyone who is interested in the international law and international relations.

Related links

• World Humanitarian Day 2021
• Global Humanitarian Overview (2021)
• UN Humanitarian coordination
• Deliver humanitarian aid
• United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
• Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)
• Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation
• World Health Organisation
• UN World Food Programme
• The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

For more info: (+375 17) 293 27 34.

Official Documents Service Department