Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon has revealed that at least 130 million people across the globe depend on humanitarian aid to survive.
He made the revelation in his message for the 2016 World Humanitarian Day campaign, which will be held on August 19 with the theme: “World You’d Rather.”
He said: “A record 130 million people are dependent on humanitarian assistance to survive. Grouped together, these people in need would comprise the tenth most populous nation on Earth.
“These figures are truly staggering, yet they tell only a fraction of the story. Hidden behind the statistics are individuals, families and communities whose lives have been devastated.
“People no different to you and me: children, women and men who face impossible choices every day.”
“They are parents who must choose between buying food or medicine for their children; children who must choose between school or working to support their families.
“They are families who must risk bombing at home or a perilous escape by sea,” he said.
“But, there are things we can all do — today, and every day. We can show compassion, we can raise our voices against injustice and we can work for change.”
The UN boss paid tribute to all UN workers and other charity organizations “who brave danger to help others at far greater risk.”
He called on everyone to commit to the “World You’d Rather” campaign in order to meet the target goal which includes among other things, “raising money for the UN Central Emergency Response Fund and enrolling support of individuals everywhere as Messengers of Humanity.”
Ban Ki-Moon insisted that people everywhere must demand that their societies and governments put humanity first.
He said: “To succeed on this collective journey, we need everyone to play their part. Each one of us can make a difference.
“On this World Humanitarian Day, let us unite in the name of humanity and show that we cannot and will not leave anyone behind.
“World Humanitarian Day is an annual reminder of the need to act to alleviate the suffering.
“It is also an occasion to honour the humanitarian workers and volunteers toiling on the front lines of crises.”