World Humanitarian Day: August 18, 2025

World Humanitarian Day: Aid workers are facing unprecedented dangers. In 2024 alone, more than 380 aid workers were killed in 20 countries while carrying out their vital missions. This trend shows no signs of abating and 2025 promises to be even worse, with reports indicating that 128 people across 17 countries were killed in the first five months of the year.

World Humanitarian Day

On World Humanitarian Day, Caritas Internationalis, as the humanitarian action arm of the Catholic Church around the world, commits to amplify the voices of religious leaders and people of faith appalled by the atrocities perpetrated in Gaza, Sudan, South Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar and other conflict zones, and calls on those with the power to end the violence to do so, and recognise the intrinsic dignity and value of every human life.

We also join humanitarian agencies around the world in commemorating those who have lost their lives in delivering life-saving aid in times of crisis and calling on governments to tackle the impunity for attacks on civilians and humanitarian aid workers.

Aid workers are facing unprecedented dangers. In 2024 alone, more than 380 aid workers were killed in 20 countries while carrying out their vital missions. This trend shows no signs of abating and 2025 promises to be even worse, with reports indicating that 128 people across 17 countries were killed in the first five months of the year.

Present in over 162 countries and territories, the Caritas confederation has extensive experience of the risks faced by frontline emergency responders in conflict zones. In countries as diverse as South Sudan, Colombia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the local Church is always present, providing aid and protection when all other agencies have withdrawn.

“People around the world follow the horrors of what civilians and aid workers are subjected to in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine and elsewhere on the news and social media. For the staff of Caritas working at the frontlines of conflict, it is the everyday reality of their work. We ask that on World Humanitarian Day everybody takes a moment to ask what can they do, and what can their government do, to help those helping people in warzones and to end the violence against civilians? Unless and until there is real commitment and accountability, the atrocities will continue.”

Alistair Dutton, Caritas Internationalis Secretary General

The need for stronger protection, support and accountability has now reached a critical stage. This is why on this World Humanitarian Day, we urgently call for stronger protection of humanitarian aid workers and civilians and a renewed political commitment to international humanitarian law.

At a recent reunion of aid agencies for oriental Churches, the Catholic Church expressed deep concern over the erosion of international humanitarian law.

“It is troubling to see that the force of international law and humanitarian law seems no longer to be binding, replaced by the alleged right to coerce others.”

Pope Leo XIV

This sentiment echoes the concerns of the entire Caritas confederation. We are gravely alarmed by the weakening of international norms that once served as the last defence for the most vulnerable.

“The protection of civilians and aid workers is not only a legal obligation, it is a moral imperative, rooted in justice, solidarity, and the love of God.”

Abbé Edouard Makimba Milambo, Executive Secretary of Caritas Congo Asbl

After the horrific attack on civilians in the Catholic Church in eastern DRC on 27 July, Milambo called for all humanitarian workers on the front lines to be respected, protected, and kept safe, as their mission is essential to saving lives and preserving human dignity.

This year has also been one of the deadliest in recent Middle Eastern history, but Caritas Lebanon has given voice to the resilience of workers and volunteers who continue their mission despite the devastation.

“They have killed our loved ones, destroyed our homes, and stolen our livelihoods but they can never take away our faith, our love for our land, or our commitment to stand by our brothers and sisters.”

Fr Michel Abboud, President of Caritas Lebanon

On this occasion, we also reflect on the lives lost of colleagues over recent years – including Viola Al Amash and Issam Abedrabbo of Caritas Jerusalem and other Caritas colleagues who have fallen in Mariupol, Ukraine, and Niger.

Today, we remember. We mourn. We pray. But above all, we demand – clearly and without hesitation –  the protection of those who commit their lives to serving others. Their memory compels us not only to honor them, but to act.

On the friar, you can listen to our homilies (based on the readings of the day) and reflections. You can also ask us to pray for you or to pray for others. You can subscribe to our website to be informed whenever we publish an update. You can subscribe to our podcasts on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts

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