Legarda Praises Humanitarian Workers on World Humanitarian Day

ON WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY, SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA PRAISED THE INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION OF HUMANITARIAN WORKERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO WERE INVOLVED IN RESCUE AND RELIEF EFFORTS DURING RECENT DISASTERS CAUSED BY TYPHOONS AND MONSOON RAINS.
“We must recognize the herculean tasks that all humanitarian workers face and the inspired ways through which they address these challenges, especially now that natural hazards abound,” she said.
Noting the high number of natural hazards that occur in the Philippines, Legarda underscored the significance of humanitarian workers’ contributions to the Filipino people.
“We were the world’s worst-hit by disasters in 2011, and just last week we experienced flooding that submerged 80% of the nation’s capital. The contributions of humanitarian workers in the lives of the millions affected by these disasters cannot be understated. They often risk their own well-being as they save and help the vulnerable from the dangers that hazards bring and support authorities in delivering assistance,” she remarked.
World Humanitarian Day was established in December 2008, marking the day of the bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad, where Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Iraq, Sérgio Vieira de Mello, and 21 of his colleagues perished in the course of humanitarian efforts.
“On World Humanitarian Day, beyond lauding their achievements, I also hope we can take the time to honor those who have lost their lives as they were saving others, and reflect on how we can contribute to the work that they do. Ultimately, humanitarian workers all over the world remind us that no task is too difficult when done in the service of others,” Legarda concluded.