Message from the ICVA Secretariat: 7 August 2009

[World Humanitarian Day] *For Info and Action* 19 August 2009

E-mail Message to ICVA Members

*For Action: Please consider engaging in World Humanitarian Day (WHD), on 19 August 2009 - events will be taking place in various locations: see Please contact OCHA directly at the various contacts listed below.*

***
To: ICVA Members - apologies for cross-posting
From: ICVA Secretariat
Date: 7 August 2009
SUBJECT: WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY - 19 AUGUST 2009
***

RESENDING - APOLOGIES FOR CROSS-POSTING AS WE HAVE BEEN HAVING A FEW PROBLEMS WITH OUR MAILING LIST

Dear Colleagues,

As you may know, the UN General Assembly has designated 19 August 2009 as World Humanitarian Day (WHD). OCHA has been working on leading a number of initiatives to mark the day. Below is an excerpt from a message from the Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC), John Holmes to all Resident/Humanitarian Coordinators regarding WHD, which you may find of interest. A leaflet on WHD prepared by OCHA is available on their website: .

Below the message from the ERC is a list of contacts within OCHA who you may wish to contact, if you would like to engage in any of the events planned.

Kind regards, ICVA Secretariat

START EXCERPT OF MESSAGE FROM ERC, JOHN HOLMES

Dear Colleagues

As you know, the General Assembly last year decided to designate 19 August, the date of the Canal Hotel bombing in Baghdad in 2003, as World Humanitarian Day. The focus this, the first year, will be primarily on commemorating those whose lives have been lost while engaged in humanitarian operations, but will also put emphasis on current humanitarian needs and challenges.

The Inter-Agency Standing Committee Principals endorsed the following actions in their meeting of 30 April:

• the shooting of a short film by OCHA, working in consultation with IASC partner agencies,
• the production of "information packages" for use at the country level,
• the provision of written guidance by IASC Principals to colleagues in field locations requesting their support in commemorating World Humanitarian Day in 2009
• announcement by the Secretary-General of the establishment of an Annual Prize by the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation, in his name.

.....
END MESSAGE

If you require additional information on WHD, please contact one of the following OCHA staff:

• Oliver Lacey-Hall; coordination of the global WHD communications plan;
• Nicholas Reader; Op Eds, SG/USG statements and related key messages;
• Richard Johnson; printed posters, leaflets etc;
• David Ohana; WHD films;
• Brendan McDonald; coordination of Geneva WHD event in the Parc des Bastions; and
• Elizabeth Byrs; coordination of Geneva/Switzerland WHD public information activities.