The world is at war nowadays, with more and more people being pushed deeper into humanitarian crises. Other reasons for emerging crises include climate change, geographical fluctuations, etc. No aid or help is enough at once as it is an ongoing process. That is why humanitarian workers and organizations try to ease the suffering of afflicted people globally. World Humanitarian Day is a link of this continuous chain where we pay tribute to aid workers on the frontlines, risking their lives to save and honour the memory of those who perished in the service of others. Let’s see what this day is about, its significance and how we can contribute to this appreciation through jewellery.

World Humanitarian Day!

World Humanitarian Day is held on 19 August annually to recognize the dedication, commitment and sacrifice of humanitarians around the world. Humanitarians are those aid workers who work in disaster-stricken areas, be it warm, famine, floods, etc., to help others selflessly. It also aims to promote the well-being, dignity and ultimately the survival of those affected by disasters and the need to offer some protection to the aid workers who rush to help them. The ultimate goal is to raise awareness and educate the public on global humanitarian challenges and issues.

Celebrating World Humanitarian Day is Important!

Did you know that globally, humanitarian needs are at record levels, with more than 300 million people worldwide needing assistance? It also shows a 30% increase since the start of 2022. Honouring aid workers on World Humanitarian Day is vital because their work is full of danger and very little glory as they strive to support others. A 2022 UN report mentions that about 444 aid workers were attacked, and 116 were killed.

This day serves as a platform to raise the importance of international solidarity in dealing with global human crises and appreciating aid workers working on the frontlines. Whether the invasion of Ukraine by Russian or the war-torn Syrian refugees, the need for humanitarian aid is constantly there. Jewellery can be a great tool of compassion here to contribute to celebrating World Humanitarian Day.

Why World Humanitarian Day is held on 19 August?

A profound reason to hold World Humanitarian Day on 19 August yearly is to mark the anniversary of the 2003 Baghdad, Iraq, bomb attack on the UN headquarters. This attack killed 22 humanitarian workers, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. This year marks the 20th anniversary of this tragic attack.

World Humanitarian Day 2023 Theme

World Humanitarian Day 2023 Theme is #NoMatterWhat. The United Nations explains this theme as,

 “We don't give up on our commitment to overcome the challenges and deliver life-saving assistance to people in need, #NoMatterWhat."

This commitment is based on multiple values, including impartiality, humanity, neutrality and independence.

Appreciating World Humanitarian Day through Jewellery

Apart from morally supporting humanitarian causes, you can also actively do some part to contribute to this great cause. Jewellery, though, seems off the mark from the topic of humanitarian aid, but it has been used for centuries to finance massive causes. You can’t deny its importance and role in supporting humanitarian activities. There are many ways you can go about using jewellery as a means to the end goal of contributing towards humanitarian needs;

1.     Purchasing or Selling a Jewellery Item

You can purchase jewellery from a non-profit organization that will use your contributed money for a humanitarian cause. Similarly, you can sell a jewellery item in an open auction to contribute a portion or the whole of the gained amount to the humanitarian cause worldwide. The trick is to work with those trusted parties you know are sincere in supporting humanitarian purposes.

2.    Gifting Jewellery to Individuals or Organizations

You can gift precious gold, diamond or other gemstone jewellery to a humanitarian organization, which they can use as they deem fit. It may feel like a dubious option. The better thing to do is to honour humanitarian individuals by gifting them intricate, expertly designed jewellery that is not so expensive that they hesitate to accept. You can show your appreciation this way through jewellery using a trusted jeweller, such as, Al Romaizan Gold & Jewellery.

Parting Thoughts

Humanitarian causes and people are under-appreciated worldwide, and sometimes, their efforts to help needy people are brutally thwarted. You can do your part in this global helping movement by celebrating World Humanitarian Day on 19 August to honour such brave souls, the humanitarian workers. Jewellery can be a great medium to express such appreciation. Al Romaizan Gold & Jewellery are expert jewellers with over 60 years of experience at their back. Think gemstones of tremendous variety to suit your tastes and budget; you get Al Romaizan Gold and Jewellery. Their delicate jewellery designs are impressive, showcasing the superb craftsmanship of their jewellers. A solid online presence and multiple global physical branches make jewellery shopping easy.