in partnership with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Hadhramout Celebrates World Humanitarian Day Under the Slogan "Act for Humanity"
Under the esteemed sponsorship of the Governor of Hadhramout, Mr. Mabkhout Mubarak Bin Madi, and in partnership with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Hadhramout Foundation - Human Development celebrated World Humanitarian Day with the UN call "Act for Humanity," and the event theme "The Story Behind the Character." This event coincides with World Humanitarian Day, observed annually on August 19.
This celebration honors the sacrifices of humanitarian workers who lost their lives in the line of duty, acknowledges those who continue to serve in international and civil society organizations despite the challenges of conflict, and recognizes the efforts of humanitarian workers worldwide.
In a recorded message, UN Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres highlighted the critical role of humanitarian work in saving lives through swift action and aid delivery. He emphasized the urgent need to intensify humanitarian efforts and provide assistance to those in greatest need, particularly in conflict zones across the globe.
Mr. Saleh Al-omqy, Secretary-General of the local authority, extended greetings on behalf of Governor Mabkhout Bin Madi to the United Nations, Hadhramout Foundation - Human Development, and all international donor organizations for their humanitarian efforts, which have significantly alleviated the difficult living conditions of the people in the governorate.
He called for the necessity of joint coordination between the local authority, foundations, and international organizations through the United Nations in setting humanitarian priorities. He also praised the efforts of field teams and humanitarian workers, both men and women, who have dedicated themselves to alleviating the suffering of citizens due to the country's difficult circumstances.
Mr. Saeed Moussa Aptidon, Head of OCHA in the Mukalla and Marib regions, stressed the importance of partnerships between the government sector, international organizations, and civil society in the field of humanitarian work, commending the efforts of Hadhramout Foundation in this regard.
Engineer Ahmed Bashaweih, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hadhramout Foundation, referenced a United Nations statistic showing that 18.2 million Yemenis require humanitarian assistance. He noted, "This statistic underscores the challenges facing development organizations, as relief efforts continue to dominate the scene in Yemen. However, relief alone cannot secure the future for generations to come."
Engineer Bashaweih also paid tribute to all employees of Hadhramout Foundation, who have been integral to the Foundation since its launch in 2006, confirming the Foundation’s belief in education as the cornerstone of human development.
The event featured a panel discussion with Engineer Tareq Balkhasher, highlighting the Hadhramout Foundation's experience in the humanitarian sector. During the discussion, he answered questions from attendees about the challenges facing humanitarian work in the governorate and how to address them.
Additionally, the event showcased five inspiring humanitarian stories of individuals who have made significant contributions in education, healthcare, women's empowerment, youth development, and livelihood improvement, aiming to highlight the importance of humanitarian work and its profound impact on people's lives.
The event was notably attended by representatives of UN offices in Hadhramout, directors-general of the coastal areas of Hadhramout and their deputies, business leaders, women and youth representatives, and civil society organizations.