Act For Humanity: The Urgent Call Of World Humanitarian Day 2024

By Mohamed Malick Fall*

Every year, World Humanitarian Day (WHD) serves as a powerful reminder of the critical importance of humanitarian efforts around the world. This year’s theme, #ActForHumanity, emphasises the collective responsibility we all bear in protecting civilians and the humanitarian workers who assist them during conflicts and other crises.
As we commemorate this day on August 19, it is critical to reflect on the profound implications of ongoing conflicts, flagrant violations of international humanitarian law (IHL), and the urgent need for global leaders to take decisive action and say enough.
Conflicts around the world, from Gaza to Sudan, continue to cause havoc for civilians. Climate change is also driving up humanitarian needs.
The ongoing conflict in northeast Nigeria has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, displacing millions, disrupting livelihoods, and exacerbating already alarming levels of food insecurity and malnutrition.
In the northeastern Nigerian states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY), 8.1 million people require humanitarian assistance in 2024. This figure includes 2.1 million internally displaced people (IDPs) and 4.1 million people in host communities. Humanitarian partners, in collaboration with the Nigerian government, hope to provide 4.4 million people with life-saving food, water, shelter, and other emergency assistance.
Anna Monday, a mother of four from Borno State, is facing the harsh realities of displacement. Forced to leave her home, she now lives in a temporary learning centre at the Pulka reception centre, which was designed for short-term accommodation but has become a long-term refuge for many. Up to 30 women sleep in the shelter, while men sleep outside, emphasising the lack of adequate shelter.
Amina Buba, a mother of four, was forced to flee her village in Adamawa State after insurgents launched violent attacks. Her home was burned down, forcing her family to flee with only the clothes on their backs. In the IDP camp, Amina struggles to provide her children with enough food and clean water.
Fatima Mohammadu, a young girl from Yobe State, was separated from her family during a village raid. She was discovered by humanitarian workers and taken to an IDP camp. The trauma of separation and the loss of loved ones has left her with deep emotional scars. She faces challenges in the camp, such as a lack of educational opportunities and inadequate nutrition.
Women, men, boys, and girls throughout Nigeria are also affected by crises related to intercommunal violence, the climate crisis, or general hardships. Women and children frequently suffer the worst consequences of widespread violations of their rights, including sexual violence.
Insecurity, limited access to affected people, and insufficient funding and resources all complicate the delivery of essential services, leaving millions in need of humanitarian assistance.
Attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers have become all too common in northeast Nigeria, flagrantly violating international humanitarian law.
On June 29, for example, multiple suicide attacks in Gwoza, Borno, killed numerous civilians and injured dozens more. A month later, many families lost loved ones in another suicide attack in Konduga, Borno. These incidents highlight the ongoing threat to civilian lives in conflict and the urgent need for enhanced protection measures, such as stricter adherence to international norms and greater accountability for violations.
Every day, humanitarian workers from the government, non-governmental organisations, the United Nations (UN), civil society, Nigerian and international staff go above and beyond to save lives and restore people’s livelihoods. Because of their humanity, host communities welcome internally displaced people despite their limited resources.
World Humanitarian Day is more important than ever. The world has never seen more humanitarian need. Conflict and other humanitarian crises have left a staggering number of people in need. There has never been a more pressing need to protect civilians and recognise the invaluable contributions of humanitarian workers.
Global leaders and conflict parties play an important role in conflict resolution and humanitarian worker protection. They must not only condemn violations of international humanitarian law, but also take specific steps to hold those responsible accountable.
Donor funding allows humanitarians to reach millions of people each year with lifesaving assistance. However, they require strong support to continue their important work in support of government efforts. This includes financial assistance, humanitarian access, and political goodwill. Only a quarter of the resources required to address urgent humanitarian needs around the world, including in northeast Nigeria, are currently available. Without these resources, we will be unable to help Anna, Amina, and Fatima survive and rebuild their lives. Beyond humanitarian interventions, development-related activities are critical because humanitarian needs stem from a lack of basic services, a lack of livelihoods, and limited employment opportunities for young people.
The #ActForHumanity campaign is more than just a slogan; it is a call to action. It calls on all of us to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves, to speak out against injustices, and to work towards a world in which humanitarian principles are respected and lives are protected.
On this World Humanitarian Day, let us all pledge to act for humanity, now and in the future.
I hope you will join me in solidarity with those affected by conflict and disaster, as well as the courageous men and women who come to their aid. They should not be the target of violence, but rather protected at all costs.

• Malick Fall is the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria.