High Definition Quality Video (Mov - 129MB) taken from the UN website.

Six years ago, on 19 August 2003, the United Nations office in Iraq was bombed and 22 people lost their lives. Among them was Sergio Vieira de Mello, at that time the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Iraq. This inaugural World Humanitarian Day is in part dedicated to the memory of all those aid workers who have lost their lives while bringing assistance to others, the majority of them from the communities they are trying to help. “Caritas asks everyone to remember World Humanitarian Day,” says Caritas Internationalis Humanitarian Director Alistair Dutton. “We should all reflect on the work being carried out right now around the world by dedicated staff and volunteers of aid agencies and the plight of the people they aim to help.

"As Caritas, we in particular mourn our staff who have been killed or injured and acknowledge those who work daily in hostile situations."

2008 was the most dangerous year on record for aid workers, with 122 killed while carrying out their work.

Caritas lost four staff members or partners in violent incidents in 2008 and has already lost two staff this year: “Raj” Anthonipillai Uthayaraj, 26, a volunteer driver killed in Sri Lanka in the no-fire zone on 8 May and Caritas France’s Ricky Agusa Sukaka, 27, who was shot dead in the Democratic Republic of Congo on 15 July. Caritas Vanni Director Rev. Fr. T.R. Vasanthaseelan and Rev. Fr. James Pathinathan were seriously injured in shelling in Sri Lanka in April.

Caritas humanitarian work in 2009

Caritas works in 200 countries around the world. Earthquake, volcano, flood, hurricane, drought, or conflict, Caritas provides a rapid, professional and compassionate response to those who have lost everything.

Caritas has appealed for US$ 60 million in 2009 to help nearly two million people affected by conflict and natural disasters.

Darfur

A quarter million people are assisted everyday to survive and find a better life in Darfur thanks to the support Caritas members receive around the world. Learn more...

Zimbabwe

Caritas is appealing for $7 million to help a quarter of a million people avoid starvation, provide health care, and clean water to 16,000 homes. Learn more...

Congo

Caritas needs US $12 million to provide the basic needs of 400,000 people caught in escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Learn more...

Pakistan

Caritas Internationalis is appealing for US $7 million to support 385,000 people who have fled their homes to avoid fighting in Pakistan. Learn more...

Emergency Response Fund

Help rush humanitarian aid and emergency relief to immediate and ongoing crises around the world by supporting the work of the Caritas Internationalis Emergency Response Team. We provide logistical support in a crisis, send technical experts, and provide training on lessening the impact of a humanitarian disaster.