Every day, humanitarian aid workers stand on the front lines of war and disaster, braving tremendous dangers and difficulties to deliver assistance to those who need it most. World Humanitarian Day (WHD) recognizes the aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service, and mobilizes people to advocate for humanitarian action. The day was designated by the General Assembly seven years ago to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq.

This World Humanitarian Day, the UN and its partners are calling for global solidarity with the more than 130 million people around the world who need humanitarian assistance to survive. Under the theme of "One Humanity," World Humanitarian Day highlights how the world came together in Istanbul for the World Humanitarian Summit earlier this year, and made commitments to support people affected by crisis and ensure that aid workers can safely and more effectively deliver to those in need.

Watch a special event being held at the General Assembly on Aug. 19 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., which will include musical performances and speeches by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Natalie Dormer, Leslie Odom Jr., Alisan Porter, Mohammed Assaf, Yasmine Al Masri and the Harlem Gospel Choir. Hala Kalim and her four children, who were featured in the documentary "Children of Syria," will also attend, and they will tell their story of the impossible choices they faced living in and fleeing Syria through four short films. A wreath laying ceremony will be held at the Visitors’ Entrance at UN Headquarters to honor the aid workers who lost their lives in humanitarian service.

For more information, please visit: www.unocha.org/whd2016.