World Humanitarian Day, 2010

The second World Humanitarian Day took place on 19 August 2010 to honor and celebrate the work of humanitarian workers. The 19th of August has been chosen by the United Nations to commemorate the work of humanitarian workers as it marks the day when 22 employees of the UN, including the UN Special Representative Sergio Vieira de Mello, were killed in a bomb attack in 2003 in Baghdad.

This year's focus was on the actual work and achievements of humanitarian workers in the field. This year’s theme was “We are humanitarian workers”. It was an occasion to remember and honor all those who have lost their lives while helping others. A total of 102 humanitarian workers died in the exercise of their functions in 2009.

Under the leadership of the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation and in collaboration with the UN organizations and nongovernmental organizations as well as with the support of the Geneva authorities, the event was held in the Parc des Bastions. The public was invited to come and talk, discuss, ask questions to humanitarian workers back from the field eager to explain their motivation, their work and their responsibilities.

The UN World Music Project was especially proud to participate in this celebration to humbly help highlight these goals - through its music for Peace - and to pay tribute to all those who have given their lives in service to others, especially to our fellow UN staff members whose lives were taken away blindly by terrorism in Baghdad on 19 August 2003 while doing their selfless best for the realization of those ideals under the courageous leadership of Sergio Vieira de Mello. The WMP prepared a flyer in English and French especially for this occasion.

Click here for more information about World Humanitarian Day 2010.

Click here for more photos of the event.