Every year World Humanitarian Day is held on the 19^th of August as a tribute to aid workers, personnel who risk their lives, and those who have lost their lives in humanitarian service.

This day was first formalized as World Humanitarian Day in United Nations General Assembly 2009 and was designated in memory of the bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, in 2003 August 19, whereby 22 people, including the chief humanitarian in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello have lost their life. Every year World Humanitarian Day is acknowledged to emphasize mortality due to crisis and persuade global leaders to overcome vulnerabilities most people face.

As the world starts to be exposed to a great deal of change for a long time, some nations however managed to grow strong while others have failed to do so. There still exist some nations that struggle with handicaps fall on their shoulders. Even the Covid-19 pandemic, the catastrophic plague itself, is found to be a contemporary obstacle.

Not only that but also slavery, racism, religionism, war, and many more issues are yet to be addressed to avoid the havoc affecting global solidarity.

To be a human who trusts in humanity as well as someone can give novel meaning to humanitarianism, first, our attitudes should be well fitted to spread kindness. Every day a lot of people face many difficulties in their lives and we see others humiliating and criticizing instead of trying to reach out to them with a kind heart. This is when our humanitarian qualities are questioned. Having good qualities can do wonders.

Unfortunately, the current society is more driven towards hatred and criticism rather than spreading kindness and lending a helping hand.

This year, we dedicate World Humanitarian Day to all the heroes who stand guard between an unseen serial killer and the lives of citizens all over the world. If not for them these hard times will be the times, we see many loved ones gone and live in fear of death. Putting their precious lives on the line these individuals drain themselves out to save the human race from a dire pandemic.

Fortunately, as Sri Lankans too, we are blessed with angelic saviors who fight back against Covid-19. Doctors, nurses, soldiers, and other responsible authorities are still dealing to stop the spread before this motherland becoming dreadful. All we need to do is encouraging ourselves to obey the restrictions and health measures, defined for avoiding the drastic spread. Although one step you take wisely, is small, it will be easy for them to confidently fight more and beyond.

Today let us appreciate the souls who are giving their best to save us at a cost of their lives for humanity and do our part by being humane enough to support them by the smallest deeds we can do.

As Rotaractors, let us all be humanitarians to serve to change lives of the needy.

Written by Rtr. Sachith Gomes