Dori: The humanitarian community in the Sahel region commemorated World Humanitarian Day (WHD) on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, in Dori. This celebration provided a framework for recognizing the commitment of humanitarian actors, raising awareness, and mobilizing around the challenges of humanitarian action in a context marked by the security and humanitarian crisis.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the 2025 edition of World Humanitarian Day brought together in Dori constituted bodies, NGOs, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and host communities. Amidou Doumbia Baba, head of the Sahel sub-office of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), recalled that this day, celebrated every August 19, pays tribute to all humanitarian workers who have died in the course of their mission.
He emphasized that this commemoration also constitutes an opportunity to raise awareness of humanitarian realities and to mobilize financial resources essential to the continuation of interventions. Mr. Doumbia Baba praised the collaboration between the humanitarian community and the regional administration, stressing that this synergy is a guarantee of effective interventions. He urged humanitarian actors to align their actions with national guidelines, focusing on sustainability, resilience, and development.
"The ultimate goal remains to help affected communities regain their dignity and rebuild their lives," he said, expressing gratitude to all partners for their commitment. Abdoul Karim Zongo, the governor of the Sahel region, highlighted the significance of this year's theme, "Acting for humanity," in a region facing security and humanitarian challenges.
Zongo noted that humanity converges daily with urgency, solidarity, courage, and hope in the region. He underscored the importance of remaining present alongside people despite difficulties, providing essentials like drinking water, food, health care, education, and shelter. He praised the dedication of humanitarians to vulnerable populations in the Sahel.
The commemoration featured several activities, including presenting Burkinabe National Identity Cards (CNIB) to internally displaced persons, a presentation on social cohesion, and exhibitions showcasing the initiatives of various humanitarian actors. These actions aim to strengthen the resilience of affected communities and promote unity in the region.
World Humanitarian Day 2025, celebrated in Dori on a delayed basis, was a moment of recognition and advocacy. It served as an opportunity to recall the crucial role of humanitarian workers in the Sahel, reaffirm solidarity with vulnerable populations, and renew the collective commitment to "act for humanity," even in the most challenging conditions.