Minister’s Message: World Humanitarian Day

August 19, 2009

Today, on the first annual World Humanitarian Day, we honour humanitarian workers who are providing much needed humanitarian assistance to the world's most vulnerable people. Many have chosen to work in some of the world's most hostile environments.

As we witness the security of humanitarian workers increasingly being threatened, we remember today those who have given their lives in humanitarian service of others.

On August 19, 2003, 22 humanitarian workers were brutally killed when the UN headquarters in Baghdad was bombed. This past year, another 122 humanitarian workers were killed in the line of duty.

The Government of Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), is working towards the reduction of poverty and is always prepared to respond to those most affected by natural disasters or complex humanitarian situations.

This Government is proud to work with partners such as the United Nations, the Red Cross Movement, and the many non-governmental organizations who are on the front lines of humanitarian relief in developing countries.


Beverley J. Oda
Minister of International Cooperation