The World Humanitarian Day, the celebration instituted by the United Nations to commemorate the anniversary of the bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad on 19 August 2003, represents a valuable opportunity to shed light on still unmet humanitarian needs and on the unacceptable numbers – over 130 million – of people fleeing armed conflicts and the continuous violations of international Humanitarian Law.
This Day is an opportunity to recall the growing commitment of Italian Cooperation to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable segments of the civil population, also through the considerable increase of resources allocated to Public Development Aid and the significant reform efforts aimed at making international aid more effective.
Lastly, today is the time to gratefully recall the admirable work of all Italian aid workers, men and women alike, who honour our Country in the most remote corners of the world, bearing witness to their great professionalism and dedication.