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On World Humanitarian Day, UN pays tribute to fallen workers in 2003 Baghdad attack

Xinhua, August 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday laid a wreath here to pay tribute to the fallen UN staff in the terrorist attack on the Canal Hotel, the then-UN headquarters in Iraq, 12 years ago.

The yellow wreath, interspersed with blue and white flowers, was laid in front of a memorial plaque at UN headquarters in New York for those killed in the bombing attack on Aug. 19, 2003.

The solemnly silent ceremony fell on the World Humanitarian Day which was designated by the UN General Assembly to commemorate the anniversary of the 2003 bombing.

"On World Humanitarian Day, we honor the selfless dedication and sacrifice of workers and volunteers from around the world who devote themselves -- often at great personal risk -- to assisting the world's most vulnerable people," said Ban in his message for the day.

This year, the UN has launched the #ShareHumanity campaign to call on ordinary people to use their social networks to deliver the message of helping those who are in need of humanitarian assistance.

Noting that more than 100 million women, men and children are in need life-saving humanitarian assistance, Ban urged everyone to sign up the campaign and donate their social media feeds to promote humanitarian actions.

"Each one of us can make a difference," said Ban. "In a world that is ever more digitally connected, each of us has the power and responsibility to inspire our fellow human beings to act to help others and create a more humane world."

The World Humanitarian Day is annually observed on Aug. 19, a date on which the 2003 attack claimed the lives of 22 UN staff members, including the world body's top envoy to the Middle Eastern country, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and injured more than 150 others.

The Day honors those who have lost their lives in humanitarian service and also seeks to draw attention to humanitarian needs worldwide and the importance of international cooperation in meeting these needs. Endit