Source: Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) |

Media Advisory: 5 km Marathon to celebrate World Humanitarian Day 19 August 2016

#Sharehumanity

The run will mobilize hundreds of people to participate to promote World Humanitarian Day

CAIRO, Egypt, August 15, 2016/APO/ --

WHO: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA),

League of Arab States (LAS),

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF),

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),

International Organization for Migration (IOM), 

Cairo Runners.

WHY: Every year, the global community commemorates World Humanitarian Day (WHD) on 19 August to rally support for humanitarian action and to recognize the humanitarians who risk their lives providing assistance to people in need. This year, the United Nations and its partners will come together under the banner of 'One Humanity' and call for global solidarity with the more than 130 million people around the world who are affected by conflict and disaster. The 2016 WHD follows on one of the pivotal moments in the history of humanitarian action: the World Humanitarian Summit, held in Istanbul on 23-24 May. During the Summit, world leaders declared their support for the Secretary-General's Agenda for Humanity, and made over 3,000 commitments to reduce suffering and deliver better for people in need. The 'One Humanity' campaign will build on this momentum by raising awareness of the Agenda for Humanity and advocating for turning commitments made during the Summit into concrete action.

WHAT: Following on from the successful event in 2015, OCHA ROMENA, in partnership with the League of Arab States (LAS), UNFPA, UNHCR, WHO, FAO, UNDP, UNICEF and IOM, is collaborating again with Cairo Runners, the renowned local running group, for a 5km marathon in the heart of Cairo. The run will mobilize hundreds of people to participate to promote World Humanitarian Day and the “1 Humanity” theme, and to raise awareness of humanitarian needs in the Middle East and North Africa. UN officials and spokespeople will be available throughout the event for media interviews and statements. They will offer information regarding WHD as well as the humanitarian situation in the region.

WHEN: Friday, 19 August 2016 at 7:00 am.

WHERE: The Island of Zamalek in Downtown Cairo. Assembly point will be in front of Imperial boat. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).