World Humanitarian Day - 19th August 2009

return to | Humanitarain and emergency assistance

In December 2008 the General Assembly of the United Nations determined that World Humanitarian Day should be marked on 19 August every year to “contribute to increasing public awareness about humanitarian assistance activities worldwide and the importance of international cooperation”.

NZAID supplies ready for distribution in Munda

Kenyan children internally displaced by election violence in 2008.

The inaugural World Humanitarian Day is also a time to remember all of the humanitarian workers who have lost their lives while bringing relief and assistance to others, the majority of them from the communities they are trying to help.

Unfortunately, over the past decade or so, natural disasters have increased in number, frequency and severity, and increasingly a higher rate of civilians are impacted by armed conflict. Responding to this humanitarian need, whether arising from natural disasters or conflict is one of New Zealand 's obligations as a good international citizen. It is also a vital aspect of NZAID's role and everyday work.

New Zealand has a proud record in providing assistance to people affected by natural disasters, war and other humanitarian emergencies. Whether it was help to rebuild after the floods in the Fiji, aid to the people of Bamyan in Afghanistan or the provision of assistance to people whose homes and livelihoods were destroyed by the 2004 Asia tsunami, the people of New Zealand have played an important role in assisting with relief and recovery.

Currently, approximately 15 percent of NZAID's official development assistance budget goes toward humanitarian activities.

NZAID seeks to apply international humanitarian law, principles and guidelines to all of its humanitarian work.

NZAID has a particular role to play in addressing humanitarian needs in our own Pacific neighbourhood. NZAID's humanitarian assistance involves the support of Pacific regional organisations and NGOs that are involved in disaster risk management and disaster risk reduction.

Beyond the Pacific New Zealand 's response is generally part of a broader international effort with support provided through United Nations (UN) multilateral agencies specialising in humanitarian assistance, the Red Cross Movement and New Zealand non-government organisations (NGOs) with partners in the affected country. NZAID provides annual core funding to key international humanitarian agencies (such as OCHA, WFP, UNHCR and ICRC) and this enables them to more effectively resource their own agency's strategic priorities.

NZAID's role also includes providing advice to Ministers on issues such as the type and appropriate level of response to specific humanitarian emergencies in developing countries. New Zealand 's response is based on a number of considerations, particularly whether a request for assistance has been received from the affected country's government and/or by recognised international agencies.

Members of the public wanting to provide assistance in a disaster or emergency should read Disasters and Emergencies Overseas - How you can help | PDF 372kb.

For more information on World Humanitarian Day click here.

For more information on NZAID's Humanitarian work click here.

Issue 15 of NZAID's magazine Currents has two articles which focus on humanitarian work. Click here for a story on the protections offered by international humanitarian law and this link will take you to an article on building safer communities and reducing the risks associated with disasters.

Aaron Davy is part of NZAID's Humanitarian & Peace-Building Team. To help mark World Humanitarian Day (19 August) he has written about his recent experience on the Red R ‘Essentials of Humanitarian Practice' course at Burnham Army Camp – read about his experiences on the NZAID field blog.