World Humanitarian Day: Protecting our Humanitarian Heroes

Tacloban Team of Oxfam's Typhoon Haiyan Emergency Response

Once again, very grateful that Rappler published this piece on their website today. You can read it here. Also very happy it's inspiring people on their mood meter!

Every year, August 19 is celebrated as World Humanitarian Day, dedicated to aid workers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Last year, World Humanitarian Day focused on asking people what the world needs more of. This year, it turns the spotlight beyond solutions and looks at the people who work at solving them.

In 2014, we celebrate August 19 by looking at humanitarian heroes, people from different kinds of backgrounds who work at the same goal - saving lives and providing the basics of life to the most vulnerable from disasters and conflict. These humanitarians are heroes in every sense of the word. In many cases, there are almost no similarities between them - different ages, races, genders, religions, beliefs. But though they come from all different parts of the world, with the same belief that those affected by disaster and conflict are entitled to the basics of life - food, water, shelter, protection, all in providing the most vulnerable with a life of dignity, taken away by disaster and conflict situations.

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