The United Nations today (18 Aug) marked the 20th anniversary of the deadly attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad. Since 2009, every 19 August has been designated World Humanitarian Day.

United Nations spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric read the names of the 22 UN staff members killed 20 years ago during a terrorist attack at the UN headquarters at the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, including Special Representative Sergio Vieira de Mello

In his message for the day, Secretary-General António Guterres said, “this tragedy marked a change in the way humanitarians operate, adding that this year, global humanitarian operations aim to get life-saving aid to 250 million people in 69 countries – ten times more than at the time of the bombing.”

Earlier today, Under Secretary-General Atul Khare led a remembrance ceremony at UN Headquarters, in front of the UN flag that flew on top of the Canal Hotel which is now displayed in the General Assembly visitors’ lobby.

This year, global humanitarian operations aim to get life-saving aid to 250 million people in 69 countries – ten times more than at the time of the Canal Hotel bombing.