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World Humanitarian Day 2015 – recognising our colleagues /

Today, 19th August, is being marked around the globe as World Humanitarian Day, in memory of those who have given their lives in the service of humanitarian causes.

World Humanitarian Day has been observed every year since 2009. It is marked on August 19, on the anniversary of the bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad in 2003, in which 22 humanitarian workers were killed. As well as remembering those who have died, the day also recognises the vital and often valiant work being done every day by the thousands of humanitarians around the world.

In a year which saw people involved in the fight against Ebola declared as Time magazine’s Person of the Year, Crown Agents’ role in humanitarian work has been particularly strong. Our work on the Ebola response has dominated the year for many ​of our staff, and we have contributed to DFID’s humanitarian responses to situations including the aid drops to Northern Iraq and the immediate response and ongoing reconstruction work needed in the wake of the Nepal earthquake.

As part of the global recognition of WHD 2015, a blog written by Crown Agents chair, Marie Staunton, on the challenges facing humanitarians in the year ahead has been published on Devex:

World Humanitarian Day: 3 challenges in the year ahead – Marie Staunton

If you’re interested in finding more about what’s happening to mark WHD 2015, visit the website – World Humanitarian Day – or read some of the links posted under the #ShareHumanity and #WHD2015 hashtags on Twitter.