On August 19, 2003, 22 humanitarian aid workers were killed by a massive truck bomb which targeted the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad. In recognition of this tragedy, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution designating August 19 as World Humanitarian Day

World Humanitarian Day is designed to increase public awareness about humanitarian assistance activities worldwide and to give special recognition to all humanitarian personnel working around the globe, especially those who have lost their lives in responding to disasters and to the millions of people whose lives are devastated by natural disasters and conflicts every day.

As a humanitarian agency, Concern Worldwide has a responsibility to save lives and reduce the suffering of those who are affected by crises and conflicts around the world. This we do in the knowledge that, even as our emergency response programs are making an impact, disasters, conflict and war are increasing in scale.

Last year, Concern responded to 34 emergencies in 18 countries, directly assisting an estimated 2.7 million people affected. Our responses included the delivery of vital programs in the areas of nutrition, water and sanitation, and the provision of seeds, tools and shelter. Funding for this important work came from the generosity of the private and corporate sectors as well as governments.

Despite the breadth of work that we have undertaken, and the success of these interventions, the context within which we are working remains an acutely challenging one: in 2008, there were 321 natural disasters worldwide, affecting more than 211 million people and causing more than $180 billion in damages. In addition, there were 39 major conflicts.

Climate change is already having a major impact on the world's most vulnerable people. According to the UN, approximately 70 percent of natural disasters are now climate- related. Climate change and the impact in the global surge in food prices have contributed to the fact that the World Bank now estimates that more than a billion people are under-nourished.

In seeking to respond to this array of crises, we are also challenged by issues of security and access. 2008 was the most dangerous year on record for humanitarian workers: at least 260 humanitarian aid workers were killed, kidnapped or seriously injured. Attacks against aid workers have increased four-fold in the last decade, with a particularly sharp increase in the last two years, driven largely by a small number of conflict-based crises in countries such as Afghanistan, Sudan and Somalia.

Our ability to respond effectively to this pattern of disasters is being challenged by increasing needs on the one hand, and reduced security and funding on the other. Those most affected are the world's poorest and most vulnerable. As well as honoring humanitarian workers who have lost their lives in responding to crises, August 19 highlights the plight of the millions of people from around the world who suffer from hunger, poverty and neglect as a result of conflict and crisis.

HEAR FROM OUR VOICES FROM THE FIELD SECTION at the following link: http://www.concernusa.org/Public/Blogs/Item.aspx?Id=760