World Humanitarian Day

World Humanitarian Day is held by the UN on 19 August to honour aid workers and the people they help in crises. The date marks the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad.

Content kit

Ready to paste

Newsletter blurb

Paste into this week's issue.

19 August is World Humanitarian Day, when the UN recognises aid workers who support people through conflict, disaster and displacement, often at real risk to themselves. It's a good moment to learn more about their work and, if you'd like to, to support it. Details of any donation matching or volunteering leave we offer are at [link]. And if you have worked or volunteered in humanitarian settings yourself, we'd welcome your perspective, only if you'd like to share it.

19 August is World Humanitarian Day, when the UN recognises aid workers who support people through conflict, disaster and displacement, often at real risk to themselves. It's a good moment to learn more about their work and, if you'd like to, to support it. Details of any donation matching or volunteering leave we offer are at [link]. And if you have worked or volunteered in humanitarian settings yourself, we'd welcome your perspective, only if you'd like to share it.

Slack / Teams post

For the company channel on the day.

Today is World Humanitarian Day, recognising aid workers around the world who help people in crisis. If you'd like to support their work, our giving and volunteering options are in this week's newsletter.

Today is World Humanitarian Day, recognising aid workers around the world who help people in crisis. If you'd like to support their work, our giving and volunteering options are in this week's newsletter.

Talking points

For managers and team leads.

- The day honours aid workers and marks the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad. - Point people to any donation matching or volunteering leave the company offers. - Be aware that some colleagues may have personal connections to current crises.

- The day honours aid workers and marks the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad.
- Point people to any donation matching or volunteering leave the company offers.
- Be aware that some colleagues may have personal connections to current crises.

Tone note

How to pitch it.

Keep it respectful and factual rather than upbeat, as the day has its roots in loss. Some colleagues may have family in affected places, so avoid singling out particular conflicts in a way that could feel political or raw.

Keep it respectful and factual rather than upbeat, as the day has its roots in loss. Some colleagues may have family in affected places, so avoid singling out particular conflicts in a way that could feel political or raw.

Turn this into this week's issue

Drop World Humanitarian Day into a ready-made newsletter template, add your team's news, and send it from your own inbox.

Turn this into this week's issue

Free to start. No card needed.

Subject line ideas

Try these subject lines to boost open rates:

World Humanitarian Day: What we're doing this year
It's World Humanitarian Day — here's how you can get involved
This week: World Humanitarian Day + team news
19 August: World Humanitarian Day at [Company]

How to feature this in your newsletter

Plan ahead — Add World Humanitarian Day to your content calendar at least 2 weeks before the date so you have time to gather content and images.
Choose your angle — Will you run a dedicated special edition, or include it as a section in your regular newsletter? Bigger events work well as specials; smaller ones fit into your weekly digest.
Involve your people — Ask employees to share their stories, experiences, or ideas related to World Humanitarian Day. User-generated content always gets higher engagement.
Include a call to action — Give readers something to do: attend an event, share a message, learn something new, or donate to a cause.

Weekly “coming up” digest

Never get caught out by a date again

Every Monday: the moments worth marking in the next two weeks, with ready-to-paste newsletter blurbs.

Prefer it in your calendar? Subscribe to the free calendar feed.

Related dates

Apr

Autism Awareness Day

World Autism Awareness Day, recognised by the United Nations, takes place on 2 April each year. Many autistic people prefer to frame it around acceptance and inclusion rather than awareness alone.

Apr

Earth Day

Earth Day on 22 April has been held every year since 1970 to support environmental protection. It is now marked by people and organisations around the world.

May

World Press Freedom Day

World Press Freedom Day on 3 May is a United Nations day that highlights the importance of a free and independent press. It also honours journalists who have faced danger or lost their lives in their work.

Jun

World Environment Day

World Environment Day on 5 June is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and has been held since 1974. It encourages action to protect the environment.

← Back to calendar Content planning guide →