(AUG.20,2009): United Nations officials and staff marked the first World Humanitarian
Day on Wed. by paying tribute to the efforts of aid workers on the frontlines around
the globe, and by vowing to redouble the international community’s commitment to continue
to assist people in need. Last year, the General Assembly proclaimed 19 August as
World Humanitarian Day, to commemorate the 2003 Canal Hotel bombing in Baghdad, which
claimed the lives of 22 UN staff members, including the world body’s top envoy in
Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and wounded more than 150 people. Speaking at the
wreath-laying ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York, in memory of the victims of
the Baghdad bombing , UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted that more humanitarian
workers were kidnapped, seriously injured or killed last year during violent attacks
than ever before. “This is unacceptable,” Ban said, pledging to do all that he can
as UN Secretary-General to help victims, while protecting the security and independence
of those who work so hard to save them. Aside from the ceremonies in New York
and Geneva, special events were held at UN offices around the world, including in
Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Thailand, Indonesia And the United Arab Emirates In
a separate message marking the Day, Ban said the UN continues to draw inspiration
from the legacy of the people who were killed in Bagdad and noted that the Sergio
Vieira de Mello Foundation is establishing an annual prize in his name to recognize
outstanding achievements in the peaceful reconciliation of conflict. Ban said men
and women who serve as humanitarian workers come from many backgrounds, but they share
a conviction that one person’s suffering is everyone’s responsibility.