Dubai Humanitarian leads collective tribute on World Humanitarian Day 2025 with UN and partners
Dubai Humanitarian marked World Humanitarian Day 2025 with a community gathering in collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinator Office in the UAE, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and the UAE Aid Agency. The event paid tribute to the dedication and sacrifices of humanitarian workers while reaffirming the principle that civilians and aid workers must never be targeted.
Held under the global theme “Act for Humanity”, the gathering took place at Dubai Humanitarian’s headquarters and brought together representatives from UN agencies, UAE-based aid organisations, international NGOs, and government partners.
The programme featured reflections and addresses by key humanitarian leaders, including HE Bérangère Boëll, UN Resident Coordinator for the UAE; Mrs. Sajeda Shawa, Head of OCHA’s UAE Office; and HE Rashed Al Hamiri, Director of Operations at UAE Aid. A minute of silence was observed in memory of humanitarian workers who lost their lives in service.
Giuseppe Saba, CEO and Board Member of Dubai Humanitarian, opened the event by emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration across sectors. He stated:
“World Humanitarian Day is a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and responsibility. Dubai Humanitarian bears witness to the great sacrifices of aid workers and reaffirms its commitment to delivering hope, dignity, and support wherever it is needed.”
HE Bérangère Boëll highlighted the need for global resolve, stressing that remembrance must be matched by action to protect civilians and uphold international humanitarian law.
HE Rashed Al Hamiri reflected on the UAE’s strong humanitarian tradition, noting that 40% of the nation’s foreign assistance in the past two years was allocated to humanitarian response. He also linked the tribute to 2025 being marked as the Year of the Community, under the slogan “hand in hand”.
Sajeda Shawa of OCHA underscored the increasing risks facing humanitarian workers, citing that 383 aid workers were killed in 2024 — the highest number ever recorded. She warned of growing funding gaps, with only 18% of global humanitarian operations financed this year, placing millions at risk. She added that OCHA’s Humanitarian Reset is about renewal, cutting inefficiencies, shifting power to local communities, and recommitting to the essence of humanitarianism — protecting life with dignity.
World Humanitarian Day, observed annually on 19 August, was established by the UN General Assembly in 2008. It commemorates the 2003 attack on the UN headquarters in Baghdad, honours the sacrifices of aid workers, and highlights the importance of protecting civilians and humanitarian staff in crisis zones.
