AU Chief Honors Humanitarian Workers on World Humanitarian Day

ADDIS ABABA, Xinhua: African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has paid tribute to the courage and sacrifice of humanitarian workers in Africa and beyond as the world observed World Humanitarian Day.

“Every day, in the most dangerous conditions, humanitarian workers save lives, ease suffering, and protect human dignity. They represent the very best of our shared humanity,” said Youssouf in a message issued by the AU in connection with the international day.

The chairperson noted that Africa and the wider world face overlapping crises, including protracted conflicts, an accelerating climate emergency, food insecurity, shrinking humanitarian resources, and mounting pressure on the multilateral system.

“These converging challenges are compounding vulnerabilities and testing the limits of our collective response,” the chairperson stressed.

He called for renewed global solidarity, stronger multilateral partnerships, and predictable and sustainable investment to prevent crises and safeguard peace.

“Humanitarian action must be backed by political will, grounded in international humanitarian law, and complemented by efforts to tackle the root causes of crises,” he added.

The AU stands shoulder to shoulder with humanitarian actors worldwide, the chairperson said, adding that “protecting life and dignity is not just a collective responsibility — it is the moral imperative of our time.”

On Aug. 19, 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killed 22 humanitarian aid workers, including United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq Sergio Vieira de Mello. Five years later, the General Assembly adopted a resolution designating Aug. 19 as World Humanitarian Day.