A Time for Global Citizenship

Twelve years ago on this day, the United Nations Headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, was bombed. It was one of the worst attacks against the UN and humanitarian workers in history, killing 22 people, and wounding over 100 more. As agreed by the General Assembly in 2008, August 19 is annually observed as the World Humanitarian Day to commemorate this tragic event, honour those who have lost their lives in humanitarian service, celebrate the spirit that continues to inspire humanitarian work around the globe, and to draw attention to humanitarian needs worldwide and the importance of international cooperation in meeting these needs.

This year, the United Nations and our partners are aiming to reach 78.9 million of the world's most vulnerable people with lifesaving humanitarian assistance. More than 50 million people are currently displaced by conflict and violence; the highest number of people affected by conflict since the Second World War. But it is not just conflicts that characterise a humanitarian crisis; there are 870 million people not in the headlines who go hungry every day, and with natural disasters occurring with greater frequency and intensity around the world, by 2050 it is estimated that up to one billion people will be displaced by the impact of climate change. Global economic losses from natural disasters are valued around USD$300 billion, which threaten, and can often reverse, development progress. Those who are already vulnerable are susceptible to being left even further behind.

Bangladesh is one of the most disaster prone countries in the world, and has not only experienced several catastrophes in its young history, but is persistently hit by seasonal disasters. In recognition of the value of joint work and partnership in humanitarian work, in 2012 Bangladesh established a national level coordination mechanism to strengthen the collective capacity of humanitarian actors for effective disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. After the flash floods and landslides in July this year, and again in the wake of Cyclone Komen, the humanitarian coordination mechanism was once again activated. By assessing the immediate needs of the affected districts jointly, the Government of Bangladesh worked in partnership with the UN, national and international humanitarian NGOs to distribute and respond through coordinated efforts, ensuring that the people most in need were able to access assistance such as food, shelter, water and sanitation, and cash grants. The joint teams also mobilised an initial USD$5 million based on a joint response plan, further complementing the Government's own efforts. The role and the support of development partners has been crucial to facilitate the purchase, delivery and coordination of humanitarian work in this case and many others.

Over the years, Bangladesh has developed impressive coping mechanisms and response strategies, but sadly, it often happens that just as communities begin to recover from a disaster, they suffer yet another natural calamity. Moreover, while disaster victims are supplied immediate emergency needs, their long-term development requirements are often overlooked, and it's not long before they find themselves, once again, victims of subsequent disasters. Early recovery mechanisms, which allow disaster victims to not only get back on their feet, but to improve their initial situation to make them more resilient to new disasters, are absolutely essential if we are to break out of the recurring cycle of disasters.

It is also clear that the interconnected issues of vulnerability, poverty, inequality, conflict, and political and environmental fragility cannot be addressed by one set of actors or approaches. To this end, the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, is organising the first World Humanitarian Summit, to take place in Istanbul in May next year. The Summit aims to be a platform for leaders from the political sphere, civil society, private sector, and crisis-affected communities, to set in motion an agenda for change. It is an opportunity to address current and future humanitarian challenges, to improve the current system, and to introduce new ways to work together.

Having personally worked in different crisis-affected countries in my career, I have witnessed and understand the importance of partnerships, down to the individual level, in humanitarian work. Through strengthening the bonds between government authorities, the UN, national and international NGOs, and development partners, Bangladesh will continue to make strides in responding to the humanitarian needs of its people. It is also up to each of us to acknowledge our shared responsibility and to assume our role as global citizens.

The writer is the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh.