World Humanitarian Day is celebrated annually on Aug. 19 to raise public awareness about humanitarian aid workers and volunteers risking their lives to provide aid and assistance to people affected by conflicts, disasters, and crises around the world.
World Humanitarian Day is celebrated annually on Aug. 19 to raise public awareness about humanitarian aid workers and volunteers risking their lives to provide aid and assistance to people affected by conflicts, disasters, and crises around the world. This year’s theme, #NoMatterWhat highlights the Humanitarians are united by a shared mission to save and protect lives.
SALTO has a strong commitment to sustainability and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We support our own social initiatives like our Free2Move.org campaign and collaborate with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) like Zaporeak, Salvamento Martitimo Humanitario, and others to advance SDGs and contribute to a sustainable future for everyone. Through our wide range of programs, partnerships, and initiatives, we’re committed to making a positive impact on the world.
Deliver Humanitarian Aid
We collaborate with organizations to make a positive impact and support social causes. By actively engaging with volunteer associations, foundations, and NGOs, we aim to contribute to the betterment of communities and promote social well-being.
These collaborative partnerships enable us to support various social initiatives, such as promoting education, healthcare, sustainability, and humanitarian efforts. Through our involvement in sports programs and community-driven projects, we strive to make a difference and create a positive change in society.
An excellent example of our support are:
- Salvamento Maritimo Humanitario (SMH). SMH is an association of volunteers that has been responding to the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean since 2015. They are dedicated to providing basic needs like food, water, shelter, sanitation, and medical care to people in crisis.
Since 2014, there have been more than 20,000 deaths and disappearances in the Mediterranean Sea. Fishermen frequently find the dead bodies of migrants with many more yet to be discovered.
Poverty, violence, and conflict – as well as various forms of instability – are the driving forces behind migration. For many migrants, leaving their home country with nothing but a bag on their backs is not a choice but a matter of survival. Africa continues to experience ongoing instability and conflict that has led to the displacement of a million people.
SMH’s work begins when it sees a boat that is in danger. The team begins its expedition toward the boat and attempts to rescue the people on board. SMH operates several projects such as the sanitation project in Chios in Greece called "Archivald Dickson." This project provides essential healthcare and sanitation facilities to refugees stranded in Chios, enabling them to live in a safe and healthy environment.
By working closely with organizations like SMH, SALTO demonstrates its dedication to social responsibility and its commitment to supporting communities in need. Through our collective efforts, we aim to create a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone.
- Ukraine war. SALTO also worked with the Unaweze Polish Foundation, The Wez.Pomoz.pl Foundation, Unicef and Chernobilen Lagunak NGOs to help Ukraine war victims – innocent children – find safe refuge in Poland.
Given the devastating situation in which Ukraine finds itself, SALTO has worked on the development of an emergency humanitarian campaign to help the different social entities that are giving support to the affected people and refugees in the countries bordering Ukraine.
Thanks to SALTO’s help and generosity, and donations from the SALTO team, as well as a company contribution, we raised close to 151.484 €. These funds helped address the most immediate needs of this humanitarian emergency. They provided essential assistance, safe transport of children and families, therapeutic activities, medical treatment, and food and housing for numerous foster families.
- Türkiye-Syria Earthquake response. There was a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake near the Türkiye-Syria border in the early hours of Monday 6 February 2023.
The earthquakes that have affected Syria and Turkey have already left more than 27,000 people dead and 60,000 injured. The situation in which the population lives is critical, one that has been hit by the protracted war in Syria and by a major humanitarian crisis caused by the forced displacement of thousands of people.
From SALTO, together with the Zaporeak and Alboan NGOs, we collaborated in the emergency protocol deployment they activated to care for the most affected people, especially in the refugee camps. Zaporeak and Alboan volunteers through other NGOs with which they collaborate helped by providing health resources, clothing, and food distribution. To assist in this effort, SALTO donated 6,500 Euros, 300kg of food, and 400 kg of warm clothing.
World Humanitarian Day 19 August
On World Humanitarian Day, we honor the aid workers and professionals, as well as crisis-affected people who work tirelessly to provide health care, shelter, food, protection, water, and much more to those in need. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the humanitarian spirit and raise awareness about the importance of supporting those who help others.
This year, our World Humanitarian Day campaign brings together the global humanitarian community. Humanitarians have no other purpose than to save and protect lives and deliver the basic necessities of life, they stand shoulder to shoulder with the communities they serve and bring hope.
Our commitment to sustainability to achieve the SDGs
As we celebrate World Humanitarian Day, let’s remember the importance of supporting and recognizing humanitarian aid workers who risk their lives to bring hope and assistance to those in need, and reaffirm our commitment to building a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
Through the wide range of programs, partnerships, and initiatives we support, SALTO seeks to advance the UN SDGs and contribute to a sustainable future that truly is for everyone.
