MAPUTO, Mozambique: The United Nations has called for greater protection of humanitarian workers and civilians affected by crises as Mozambique joins the world in marking World Humanitarian Day.
The call was made by the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Mozambique, Dr Catherine Sozi, in a statement issued on 19 August 2026 under the theme “Protect humanitarian action” and the campaign message #ActForHumanity.
The day recognises humanitarian workers who assist people affected by conflict, natural disasters, disease outbreaks and other emergencies. 
Across Mozambique, humanitarian workers provide food, healthcare, clean water, shelter, protection and other life saving assistance to communities, often in difficult and dangerous conditions.
The response also depends on local organisations, community leaders, volunteers and affected communities, who help ensure that assistance reaches people in need.
Sozi said humanitarian workers were increasingly facing violence, threats and attacks.
When humanitarian access is blocked, the people waiting for assistance suffer first.
Children may be left without food, medicine or safe places to learn, while pregnant women may struggle to reach emergency healthcare.
Families can also be left without clean water, shelter, protection and the support needed to survive and rebuild their livelihoods.
The statement called on governments, communities, humanitarian organisations and young people to support a safer environment for humanitarian action.
“Humanitarians are not targets,” the statement said.
It added that humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law were intended to protect people caught up in crises and ensure that assistance reached them regardless of their identity or location.
The UN said the message should be carried from Rovuma in northern Mozambique to Maputo in the south.
“Protect the people who help.
Protect the people who need help.
Protect humanity.”
World Humanitarian Day is observed every year on 19 August in memory of humanitarian workers killed while serving communities affected by crises. The date marks the 2003 bombing of the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, which killed 22 humanitarian personnel.
