Do you think that humanitarian work is a right and a duty? Or luxury? But why is it not an instinct in human nature?
Humanitarian work is the duty of all humanity. The reason for our existence is to invest our strength and uplift ourselves and our world together. In addition to the fact that appreciation is a human need, why should it not be our duty as well? To express appreciation towards all the heroes who did not ask for reward or fame, but tried hard to provide assistance to humanity, out of the principle of their commitment towards their brothers in humanity.
“On World Humanitarian Day, we pay tribute to aid workers everywhere, and commit to doing everything possible to protect them and their vital work.” [1]
-United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres.
On 19 August 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killed 22 humanitarian aid workers, including the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Therefore, this day has been dedicated to recognizing the efforts of humanitarian workers and those who have lost their lives due to humanitarian aid. [2]
How can we live without extending a helping hand to the other? Sometimes we will extend this helping hand, and sometimes it will be extended to us. This proves the existence of goodness and mercy in humans if they want life to be full of mercy despite all the darkness in which we live and our world witnesses. Therefore, our choice should be the light, because the suffering would increase more if it were not for the initiators who have contributed to help in various fields, including:
Providing care and education for children who lack them. Despite all the development that the planet is witnessing, however, there are still children who do not have access to education due to disasters or poverty.
Humanitarian work plays an important and essential role in securing health care by creating programs to sustain the mental health of those suffering from the crisis.
The role of humanitarian work was also evident during the Covid-19 pandemic, as the United Nations allocated nearly $2 billion to help 51 countries across Asia, Africa, South America and the Middle East.[3]
The crises facing our country have led to the emergence of many humanitarian initiatives, which aim to help children affected by war and help poor families. As for helping Syrian youth to enter the labour market, it has received a large share of these initiatives; some of them provided free courses and workshops to develop the skills required globally to empower young people and prepare them for competition.
Also read: International Youth Day.
Each year, a specific slogan is dedicated to World Humanitarian Day, to unite all those who defend the human right to lead a dignified life.
The Theme of World Humanitarian Day 2021 was #TheHumanRace which highlighted the direct consequences of the climate emergency on the world’s most vulnerable people and ensured that their suffering and damage to their homes and livelihoods are transferred.
The theme for World Humanitarian Day in 2022 is #ItTakesAVillage”, where personal stories of the heroes of humanity who have done their best in the COVID-19 pandemic will be shared.
The Uplifting Syrian Women initiative is one of the humanitarian initiatives in Syria that has expressed humanitarian work in its clearest form, as it has been able to help more than 400 women, by providing numerous free workshops and courses to pave the way toward achieving their dreams. In addition, its services were not limited only to Syrian women, but it has provided some of the services to the Syrian man, emphasizing that uplifting and supporting women should be along with the men and their support.
Finally, the Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative believes that all individuals are able to provide assistance, no matter how small, to the other, and this is a necessity and not a job we choose to enjoy or fill our spare time with.
♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.
References:
[1] UN
[3] UNODC