From risking their lives to help people in Gaza survive one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, to providing urgent aid in the aftermath of the earthquake in Myanmar, local responders are often the first to deliver lifesaving aid when disaster strikes, and remain committed to serving their communities recover and rebuild.

This World Humanitarian Day we honour those who work tirelessly to deliver aid in some of the world's most challenging environments, and pay tribute to those who have lost their lives trying to help others.

Living and working through the conflict

Paramedics from the Palestine Red Crescent Society, the local partner of British Red Cross, donate blood at a medical centre in Gaza in July 2025.

Medical staff at this centre in Gaza have lost their homes, been displaced with their families, and are impacted both personally and professionally by the hardships and lack of resources they face alongside the communities they serve. Despite this, they persevere and remain committed to their humanitarian work.

Rebuilding lives and relieving hardship

Fatima,* a mother of two, has faced many challenges since conflict escalated in Lebanon, including financial struggles and psychological stress.

Christian Aid's local partner helped her make essential repairs to her home in Beirut's southern suburbs, which were badly impacted during the escalation of conflict. Many families there were already facing economic hardship, and the cash support has helped them meet some of their immediate needs.

Reaching families through mobile clinics

Nan Ei and her seven-month-old child Shwe Poe, receive support from a mobile health clinic in Myanmar.

The International Rescue Committee has been running mobile health clinics to reach people who might not otherwise be able to access healthcare. Following the earthquake in March 2025, some rural communities were cut off from essential services due to damage to roads and infrastructure, and the rains that followed.

Providing urgent access to clean water

Water trucks provide desperately needed clean water in north Gaza and Gaza City during the ceasefire in January 2025.

Action Against Hunger helps to meet one of the most critical needs in Gaza where communities are cut off from supplies, impacting all aspects of their lives including health, sanitation and hygiene. The humanitarian situation has since deteriorated further.

Bringing comfort after trauma

Siham, who was injured during an airstrike in October 2024, supports her youngest daughter, who was unable to speak for hours after the incident due to shock.

During the airstrike, Siham sustained injuries to her hand, neck, and eye. She received medical support from Oxfam at the collective shelter where she was staying with other displaced families. The impact of violence in Lebanon continues to have a lasting effect on people's lives. 

Working together to feed communities

Aid workers prepare hot meals at a ‘tekkya’ (community kitchen) run by the local partner of Age International in Gaza in April 2025.

DEC funds helped support operational costs such as fuel, labour and machinery for Gaza’s community kitchens, providing up to 5,000 meals per day for displaced families. The entire population of Gaza do not have enough to eat, with people dying from hunger and malnutrition.

Providing a safe space for children

Displaced by the earthquake in Myanmar, a child plays in a child-friendly space set up by Plan International in April 2025.

The spaces provide a safe and stimulating environment that help reduce stress and support children to process their trauma. Many children were forced to live outdoors in temporary shelters after the earthquake, and activities like these are tailored to help their psychological recovery.

Delivering food to displaced families

Staff from Concern Worldwide deliver hot meals to displacement shelters across Beirut in November 2024, where many families from the south were forced to flee during the conflict.

The ceasefire agreement meant some people could return to their communities, but many found their homes were damaged or destroyed, leaving them without adequate shelter and cut off from basic services and facilities.

Treating patients in their communities

Local staff from CARE Myanmar provide medical care to earthquake-affected communities at a mobile clinic set up at a school in Myanmar in May 2025.

Following natural disasters, mobile health clinics can play an important role in helping communities access basic medical services and medication where facilities have been damaged or become inaccessible.

Providing care for mothers and babies

An aid worker plays with a baby whose mother has been receiving help at a mother-and-baby space in Gaza set up by Save the Children in March 2025.

In these spaces, mothers can access advice, support, and speak to a nutrition counsellor about their health needs and how best to feed and care for their young children. The impact of food shortages on babies and young children has since deteriorated rapidly. Safe and sustained access for humanitarian aid has never been more urgent.

Sourcing scarce supplies of fresh food

An aid worker packs fruit and vegetables into food packages to deliver to families in Gaza in May 2025.

With extremely limited amounts of food allowed to enter Gaza, supply chains and local markets are forced to rely on local production, which is extremely limited. Much of the agricultural land in Gaza has been destroyed, making production extremely challenging.

Smiling through suffering and hardship

Aid workers dressed as clowns entertain children to provide a moment of joy in Gaza in March 2025.

Islamic Relief provides fun and learning activities for displaced and traumatised children, giving them momentary respite from the devastation and suffering in their everyday lives.

Keeping hospitals running

A child receives treatment at a field hospital in central Gaza, supported by aid workers in August 2024.

Tearfund’s local partners help support the hospital with much-needed medical supplies. Medical facilities across Gaza face extreme shortages of essential materials needed to support the increasing number of patients and the severity of injuries they are dealing with.

Helping others at a time of crisis

Jannette, head nurse of a mobile care unit, works from her van outside a school converted into a shelter in central Lebanon in October 2024.

Jannette was also forced to flee her home following an evacuation order. Despite her own displacement, she continued to provide healthcare services to those most in need.

Supporting children's wellbeing

An aid worker from World Vision runs a psychosocial support activity for children in a rural community following the earthquake in Myanmar in April 2025.

At a time when children face uncertainty, displacement, and a lack of access to schooling or normal routines, structured group activities can help improve their mental wellbeing and recovery.