World Humanitarian Day 2011: People Helping People

Every year, disasters both natural and man-made, cause suffering and hardship for millions of people. Humanitarian aid workers provide life-saving assistance and long term rehabilitation to disaster-affected communities, without discrimination.

World Humanitarian Day is a celebration of people helping people. Humanitarian aid workers help millions of people everyday around the world no matter who they are or where they are. The day recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of those who risk their lives to give others help and hope.

Humanitarian work has become increasingly dangerous over the past 10 years. Last week in a solemn ceremony, InterAction honored 50 humanitarian workers who lost their lives in 2010. Today, InterAction, and its member organizations celebrate those who work in often dangerous conditions under the following principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence.

Join us today in celebrating their work and take action by:

Contacting your member of Congress and tell them to support Foreign Aid funding for 2012.

Following the World Humanitarian Day discussion on Twitter using #WHD2011 and #makechange happen. 

Visiting the InterAction World Humanitarian Day webpage.

Visiting the official World Humanitarian Day website from OCHA; watch Humanitarian workers stories, play a game.

Visiting USAID's website to see 100 ways you can help in the Horn of African Crisis