The World Humanitarian Day, established by the UN General Assembly in 2008 and observed annually on August 19, serves as a reminder to humanity of the values of humanitarian work and the importance of constantly upholding them.

This day aims to honour the efforts of humanitarian workers who save lives in the most dangerous places, raise global awareness about humanitarian issues and the suffering of those affected, and call for financial and political support for humanitarian work amid increasing challenges.

For World Humanitarian Day 2025, the UN has chosen the theme: “Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities”. This theme seeks to unify humanitarian partners in advocating for the protection, dignity, and well-being of crisis-affected people and to ensure the safety of aid workers.

In this context-and amid the ongoing and varied humanitarian crises caused by wars, conflicts, natural disasters, and poverty across many regions-the humanitarian mission remains a beacon of hope that never fades, offering aid to all victims. Humanitarian and relief workers continue to risk their lives to rescue those trapped in danger or to alleviate the suffering of those in need.

According to the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance is increasing every year. Humanitarian operations face numerous challenges such as insecurity, funding shortfalls, political and bureaucratic obstacles, and at times, direct targeting of humanitarian workers in conflict zones around the world.

Earlier this year, the UN issued an urgent appeal to raise over $47bn to assist nearly 190mn people across 72 countries worldwide.

According to the UN, the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region requires $15.9bn to meet urgent humanitarian response needs-particularly due to the sharp increases in required funding for the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Lebanon. This amount represents 34% of the total global humanitarian funding requirement.

The escalating crisis in Sudan has increased the funding needs in East and Southern Africa to $12bn, following the mass displacement of Sudanese refugees to Chad and other countries. Meanwhile, the funding requirement for West and Central Africa stands at $7.6bn. In the Asia-Pacific region, the current humanitarian need is $5.1bn, particularly focused on Myanmar, while Europe needs $3.3bn, with Ukraine being a key concern.

In this context, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator, Tom Fletcher, spoke about the global obstacles facing humanitarian work.

He noted that 400mn children live in conflict zones worldwide, and one in every five children is fleeing these areas in search of safety. Vulnerable groups-especially women and girls-are often the most affected, facing inadequate care and widespread gender-based violence.

He added that the human mind struggles to comprehend that much of the suffering witnessed is man-made. The wars in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine are marked by extreme violence and brutality.

In parallel, with the continuation of wars and armed conflicts, millions are in urgent need of food and medical assistance, while relief workers face extreme difficulties accessing affected populations, with serious risks to their safety.

The UN has adopted humanitarian diplomacy as a key tool to promote peace, security, and development through dialogue, mediation, and international co-operation. This approach emphasises the protection of human rights and the application of humanitarian principles, aiming to prevent conflicts, resolve disputes peacefully, deliver aid to those in need, and foster sustainable development.

The importance of humanitarian diplomacy in the contemporary world manifests through its vital role in promoting humanitarian action and responding to the urgent needs of affected communities. It contributes to facilitating access to affected areas, opening the necessary channels for delivering humanitarian aid, particularly in conflict zones. It also promotes respect for international humanitarian law to protect civilians and ensure the safety of aid during conflicts.

Humanitarian diplomacy also works to build trust with local and international actors for better co-ordination and co-operation in the efficient delivery of aid and the protection of humanitarian workers from dangers and attacks through negotiation and engagement with various parties.

In addition, humanitarian diplomacy enhances rapid response to crises by establishing effective mechanisms for emergency intervention and enhancing international co-operation and information exchange. This contributes to a more organised and effective response to global crises and protects the rights of affected people and relief workers.

In the same context, Qatar has made great efforts in humanitarian diplomacy, such as providing significant humanitarian aid in numerous crises around the world, such as those in Gaza, Sudan, and Syria, among others. Qatar has also played a significant role in mediating numerous conflicts.

Moreover, Qatar signed an agreement with the UN to establish the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Doha to enhance co-operation in the field of humanitarian assistance.

Among its key efforts in high-level humanitarian diplomacy is the Doha Forum, a leading global platform for addressing contemporary international issues and one of the largest international platforms for diplomacy, dialogue, and diversity. The forum annually brings together a select group of heads of state and government, policymakers, and opinion leaders, along with representatives from the private sector, civil society, non-governmental organisations, and media from around the world.

Held annually in Doha, with significant local and international participation; the forum’s organising committee selects an annual theme for each edition, under which numerous dialogues, discussions, and sessions are held to serve its objectives which focus on initiating dialogue on critical challenges facing the world, promoting the exchange of ideas and policymaking, and providing actionable recommendations.

The outcomes of all Doha Forums have contributed to charting the course, and action plans for diplomatic efforts to address contemporary problems and challenges. They have paved the way for finding the best solutions to the issues and crises that plague the world and threaten the lives of millions. This goal is to lead humanity to safety, based on the belief that the shared future of humanity depends on stability, security, and the right of all to exist.

In the same vein, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) is making intensive efforts in the field of humanitarian diplomacy to enhance co-operation and understanding between countries and international humanitarian organisations. QRCS is an active member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, contributing to strengthening its diplomatic role through partnerships and agreements with other humanitarian organisations, with the goal of achieving peace, stability, and sustainable development in affected communities.

This is achieved through a number of objectives: The most important of these is building the Red Crescent’s capacity in advocacy, negotiations, and humanitarian diplomacy; increasing access to decision-makers in the interests of vulnerable people, while respecting fundamental humanitarian principles. It identifies and prioritises critical humanitarian issues, and develops and implements humanitarian diplomacy plans for these key humanitarian issues. These plans include objectives, target audiences, partners, key messages, and supporting materials. This is in addition to establishing effective communication with influential actors and stakeholders to advocate and mobilise support for humanitarian causes.

According to experts and humanitarian practitioners, amid growing global challenges, humanitarian diplomacy remains an indispensable tool for promoting stability and alleviating human suffering. Its multifaceted role is crucial in fostering co-operation and solidarity to address diverse humanitarian crises. Achieving this goal requires a collective commitment from countries, communities, and international and local organisations. Humanitarian challenges know no borders, and the World Humanitarian Day is not just a celebration; it is an open invitation to recognise humanitarian efforts worldwide and to support those who stand on the front lines, aiding people in their most vulnerable moments.