This year, we draw attention to community engagement and joint action. So it was a befitting tribute that the General Assembly designated 19 August, the day of the Canal Hotel bombing, as World Humanitarian Day, to honour humanitarian workers who have been killed or injured in the course of their work. In Iraq, as well as in other parts of the globe, we continue to witness threats and assaults against civilians, humanitarian workers, healthcare professionals, civil society actors, the staff of international organisations, and countless brave women and men who put themselves in danger to assist communities affected by conflict and disasters. Today, we observe World Humanitarian Day, and pay tribute to all victims of terrorism. The UN and all those committed to humanitarianism appreciate your sacrifice and your continuing commitment to a peaceful and stable Iraq.Īlthough the attack on the Canal Hotel targeted the humanitarian community, Iraqi society was not spared: the attack was only a prelude to the terror that would engulf Iraq and claim countless victims in the following years. I would like to salute those who were injured in the attack of 19 August 2003 and who have joined us here today. I am honoured to be standing here with you on this solemn occasion. Please join me in paying special tribute to these colleagues. Despite the horrors of that day and the many catastrophes that have befallen Iraq since, these colleagues remain committed to playing a role in building a peaceful and stable future for their country.
Many of them continue to serve the UN here in Iraq. Twenty-two of our colleagues and friends were killed and more than a hundred people were injured.Ī number of survivors of the Canal Hotel bombing are here with us today. Nineteen years ago, on 19 August 2003, just five days after UNAMI was established by UN Security Council Resolution 1500, the UN headquarters in Baghdad, known also as the Canal Hotel, was blown up in one of the first terrorist attacks in the capital.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Colleagues, Friends,
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Download Report (PDF | 233.99 KB | Kurdish version)Ĭanal Hotel Bombing Commemoration - World Humanitarian Day – International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
Download Report (PDF | 287.59 KB | Arabic version).