WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- The international community, on International Humanitarian Day, honors those who died for humanitarian service, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.
"The United States is proud to be a leading donor to humanitarian efforts around the world, working with other governments, aid groups and international organizations to save lives and reunite people with their loved ones," Clinton said Sunday in a statement. "But this work does come at a significant cost."
Citing the violence in Syria, Clinton praised those for helping "innocent civilians in the middle of a conflict they did not provoke."
"Whether operating under the red of the Turkish flag, the blue of a U.N. vest or a local community member pointing the way to safety, every single person who helped them is a humanitarian," Clinton said. "The men and women of humanitarian organizations put their lives on the line every day in order to provide lifesaving aid to those in need."
Clinton noted 2012 was designated by the United Nations "as the year to say as the year to say, 'I was here.'"
"We have all been challenged to do one good thing, somewhere, for someone else," she said. "[People] of goodwill are finding ways to exemplify what it means to be a humanitarian. So let's continue to stand up and speak out for those who cannot. Let's redouble our efforts to this highest and noblest cause."
