Statement by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on World Humanitarian Day, August 19, 2012

Susan E. Rice
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations 
U.S. Mission to the United Nations 

New York, NY

August 19, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On World Humanitarian Day, we honor all who dedicate their lives to humanitarian causes around the world and celebrate countless acts taken on behalf of those in need. As UN Under-Secretary-General Valerie Amos said recently, “Everyone can be a humanitarian.” Acts of humanitarian service are not limited to any one community or area of the world, which is the message behind a call launched by Beyoncé Knowles, together with UN agencies (http://www.whd-iwashere.org/).

We know that human generosity is more powerful and lasting than any effort to diminish our shared humanity. We will always remember humanitarians who have lost their lives, including the 22 UN staff members who were killed at UN headquarters in Baghdad nine years ago today. World Humanitarian Day was established, in part, to mark the anniversary of this tragedy and raise awareness of humanitarian bravery. The United States keeps faith with all who have lost loved ones in service to others and pledges to remain a leader in supporting international humanitarian efforts. We call on all nations to join us in robustly meeting the needs of the world’s most vulnerable people, whenever and wherever disaster strikes.

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