USAID Administrator Shah Pays Tribute to Humanitarians

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U.S. Agency for International Development

Aug 19, 2010, 10:27 ET

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- World Humanitarian Day honors all humanitarians who have lost their lives in the cause of duty, as well as those who have worked in the promotion of the humanitarian cause. Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), released the following statement on the occasion.

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"Today, I am proud to honor the men and women that are part of the USAID family – staff, implementers, and host country partners. From Haiti to Kyrgyzstan to Sudan, each day these individuals work tirelessly to save lives and improve the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.

"With the floods in Pakistan, I am especially grateful to personnel who are working around the clock to address the devastating crisis afflicting approximately 20 million Pakistani people. Our priority is to ensure that Pakistanis get the shelter, food, clean water and medical assistance that they need.

"On this day, we also remember Sergio Vieira de Mello, the late Special Representative of the Secretary General in Iraq, and 21 of his humanitarian colleagues who lost their lives in the tragic bombing of the Headquarters of United Nations in Baghdad on 19th August 2003."

As we mark World Humanitarian Day, USAID has provided immediate assistance from the American people to the flood-affected people of Pakistan. Watch and share this new video for a glimpse into just some of what USAID has provided on behalf of the American people at http://www.usaid.gov/pakistanflooding/video.html

For more information about USAID's programs, please visit: www.usaid.gov/.

For more information about the floods in Pakistan, please visit: www.usaid.gov/pakistanflooding/

The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for nearly 50 years.

Public Information: 202-712-4810

SOURCE U.S. Agency for International Development