World Humanitarian Day

Submitted on Sat, 08/20/2016 - 18:48

19 August is known as the World Humanitarian Day. It was established by the UN to raise public awareness of humanitarian actions and efforts of aid workers who dedicate their lives to saving and helping people across the globe.

The Russian Federation attaches great importance to the work in this field and is widely recognised as one of world’s leaders in providing humanitarian aid.

The Russian Ministry for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM of Russia), in coordination with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in cooperation with other public agencies, provides humanitarian aid to countries in need and is involved in partnership projects between donor states and aid recipients.

Apart from humanitarian efforts on the ground, the Russian Federation participates in international development programmes through targeted contributions to specialised international organisations.

Since 1993 Russia has carried out about 400 humanitarian missions.

In particular, 300 operations were conducted to deliver humanitarian goods to Algeria, China, Cuba, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Palestine, Serbia, Sri-Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, US, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen and many other countries.

Russia’s EMERCOM workers conducted 17 rescue operations in Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kirgizia, Nepal, Serbia and other countries.

Mobile hospitals were set up in Afghanistan, Chili, China, Sri-Lanka, Haiti, Indonesia and Pakistan.

Russia’s EMERCOM units also assisted their foreign colleagues in fire-fighting efforts in Greece, Israel, Portugal, Serbia and other Balkan states.

Since August 2014 the EMERCOM of Russia, together with other federal and regional agencies and in cooperation with international and public charity organisations, delivered over 63,000 tons of humanitarian aid to suffering people in South-East of Ukraine.

The EMERCOM of Russia is enhancing its capabilities in order to make effective contribution to international humanitarian efforts.

Website of the EMERCOM of Russia