In an effort to raise public awareness of humanitarian assistance worldwide and the people who risk their lives in order to provide it, the General Assembly of the UN has designated 19 August as World Humanitarian Day.

Every day humanitarian aid workers help millions of people around the world, regardless of who they are and where they are. World Humanitarian Day is a global celebration of people helping people.

This year’s campaign "People Helping People" is about inspiring the spirit of aid work in everyone.

Caritas welcomes this campaign since it reaffirms the importance of the core humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence, especially when humanitarian needs are increasing.

The campaign website provides everyone with an opportunity to unite and share his or her individual acts of good. On 19 August, the campaign aims to reach 1 billion people, in one day, with one single message.

 To show your support, please follow these 5 simple steps below and help us celebrate humanity and the spirit of 'people helping people.'

1. Visit www.whd-iwashere.org
2. Click on "Show Your Support"
3. Choose to support World Humanitarian Day via Twitter, Facebook - or both - and get the word out to your friends and followers.
4. Continue tweeting (#WHD2012 #IWASHERE) and posting in the lead-up to 19 August.
5. On 19 August, make your mark by registering your World Humanitarian Day action.

Please download these campaign materials (official campaign pin and poster) and promote World Humanitarian Day by incorporating them into your websites and social media.

Help us spread the message of 'people helping people' and celebrate humanitarian work worldwide by kindly forwarding these simple instructions throughout your entire organisation and network.


Support Caritas action worldwide

Caritas is a global movement working in solidarity for a fairer world, inspired by the example of Christian faith and Catholic Social Teaching. It is unacceptable that millions of people are suffering through dehumanising poverty and social injustice and we want change.

The 165 national Caritas members make the biggest network of Catholic charities in the world devoted to reducing poverty and campaigning for social justice.

We work in three main areas

Emergencies: Caritas is there before, during and after a disaster to help people in need. Caritas pulls together global resources to support humanitarian work and bring first aid relief. See our latest efforts in Sahel region and our support toward Syrian refugees . In the first eight months of 2012, Caritas brought relief support to twenty five emergencies around the world.

Sustainable development: Whether it's access to healthcare, education, or clean water, Caritas works with people to find their own solutions in its provision of social services and long term environmentally sustainable development and Caritas advocates to transform unjust systems and structures.

Peace building: From Afghanistan to Colombia, East Timor to Kosovo, Iraq to Zimbabwe, Caritas is on the frontline of bringing about peace and reconciliation, especially through inter-religious dialogue.

If you would like to learn more about Caritas work, please see this video

To find your national Caritas member and see how you can help, click here