Statement by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton for International Humanitarian Day on August 19

20 August 2012

Statement by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton for International Humanitarian Day on August 19

“Today, the United States joins the international community to honor those who have lost their lives in humanitarian service and those who continue to bring assistance and relief to people in need.

As the Syrian crisis carries on, we must continue to stand up for innocent civilians in the middle of a conflict they did not provoke. On a recent trip to Turkey, I spoke to refugees from Syria. Whether operating under the red of the Turkish flag, the blue of a UN vest or a local community member pointing the way to safety, every single person who helped them is a humanitarian. The men and women of humanitarian organizations put their lives on the line every day in order to provide life-saving aid to those in need.”

Link to the entire text.