World Humanitarian Day 2026

World Humanitarian Day on 19 August is dedicated in particular to humanitarian workers around the world who stand up for humanity even in the most difficult circumstances. However, the last three years have been the deadliest on record. By 19 August 2026, 82 humanitarian workers had been killed, 39 kidnapped, 29 detained and 97 wounded, bringing the total number of those affected to 274. Most fatal incidents to date have occurred in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, followed by South Sudan, Sudan, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iran, Afghanistan, Somalia and Myanmar. National staff has been disproportionately affected. Last year, the number of humanitarian workers killed stood at 350; in 2024, it rose to 384. Although civilians, including humanitarian workers, are protected under international humanitarian law, the rising figures speak for themselves. World Humanitarian Day is therefore also a call to respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law, to prevent attacks, to protect humanitarian access and to ensure accountability for violations. Alongside the Global IHL Initiative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), another important initiative is the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel that currently counts 122 signatory states.