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World Humanitarian Day -
Every August 19 is the World Humanitarian Day. This day raises awareness of the situations of people facing humanitarian crises across the globe and reminds the international community of the urgent need for humanitarian assistance. It was designated by the United Nations to honor humanitarian workers who lost their lives in the 2003 bombing in Baghdad, Iraq. It is also a time to remember the noble dedication of all those serving on the frontlines of disasters and conflicts around the world.
Since responding to the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013, Miral Welfare Foundation has stood with neighbors in crisis across the globe: during the Nepal earthquake in 2015, the Turkiye earthquake in 2022, and most recently, the Myanmar earthquake in 2025.
Humanitarian crises often arise from both natural and man-made disasters. While each crisis differs in its causes, duration, and scale of impact, persons with disabilities, children, and women are among those most vulnerable in times of emergency?with persons with disabilities in particular at high risk of exclusion. Miral Welfare Foundation remains committed to ensuring that those most at risk receive inclusive and equitable humanitarian support.
Natural Disasters - Sudden Catastrophes
Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and typhoons bring large-scale destruction. The 2025 Myanmar earthquake was a striking example of such a disaster. The quake directly affected 17 million people and claimed thousands of lives. Miral visited evacuation shelters and provided emergency food and supplies to more than 11,000 displaced people, offering comfort in the midst of tragedy.
A child with a disability affected by the Myanmar earthquake
In the hardest-hit Mandalay region, Miral conducted a full survey of shelter populations to understand urgent needs. As a result, food and essentials were delivered immediately. For persons with disabilities facing mobility challenges, customized assistive devices such as crutches, wheelchairs, and portable toilets were distributed. These efforts aimed to guarantee the safety and mobility of persons with disabilities in the critical moments following a disaster and to support them in regaining basic aspects of everyday life.
Support for survivors with disabilities after the Myanmar earthquake
Support for survivors with disabilities after the Myanmar earthquake
Many people think of humanitarian crises only as sudden natural disasters like earthquakes or floods. However, climate-related disasters progress slowly, with long-term, cumulative damage that is often more severe and devastating. In Marsabit, Kenya, severe drought has continued since 2020, even during rainy seasons. Over 90% of livestock died, depriving residents of both their livelihoods and their main source of food.
Miral Welfare Foundation provided emergency nutritional supplements to the most vulnerable?children under five, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and persons with disabilities. Water supply activities were carried out to ease the lack of safe drinking water, and in just over two months, children in acute malnutrition showed recovery to nearly normal health conditions. These activities played a decisive role in protecting life and health amid the long-lasting climate crisis.
Parched land in Marsabit due to drought
Emergency food and supply distribution in Marsabit
A child recovering from acute malnutrition to normal health status
Man-Made Disasters - Human Tragedies
Man-made disasters stem from wars, civil conflicts, and political violence. Since the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022, more than 6.4 million people have fled abroad, while 4.6 million became internally displaced. Most of the refugees were women, children, and persons with disabilities. While men headed to the battlefield. Immediately after the war broke out, Miral Welfare Foundation held a “Miral Concert”, raising 600 million KRW. The fund was used to provide emergency food assistance to refugees, to operate a former vocational rehabilitation restaurant as a free soup kitchen, and to deliver essential supplies to those unable to cross the border.
Emergency food support site in Ukraine
In Myanmar, conflicts have persisted since the 2021 coup. Currently, 18 million people?one third of the population?are in humanitarian crisis, with 3.48 million displaced from their homes. Since 2016, Miral Welfare Foundation has supported displaced people in Kachin State in northern Myanmar. Recently, this support has expanded to include care and education for children with disabilities and livelihood skills training for income generation.
As forced conscription of youth has intensified due to the ongoing civil war, in 2025 Miral also launched a psychosocial support program for young people through a KOICA public-private partnership project. One participant shared: “I used to be anxious because of the sounds of bombs, but learning how to manage stress and engaging in activities with friends my age has made me feel much calmer.”
Psychosocial support activities for youth in Kachin State, Myanmar
Psychosocial support activities for youth in Myanmar
“Amid accelerating climate crises and the news of ongoing wars, Miral Welfare Foundation stands in solidarity with marginalized neighbors, committed to restoring human dignity and daily life broken by disasters and conflicts.”
? Dae-hyun Kim, Department Head of International Program Department
Disasters Cross Borders, Solidarity Bridges Them
Humanitarian crises around the world are becoming increasingly diverse and complex.
Despite sudden natural disasters, climate crises, and unending conflicts, Miral Welfare Foundation continues to stay close to the most vulnerable. We strive to ensure that persons with disabilities, children, women, and others at risk are not left behind in times of crisis.
Food and supplies delivered to earthquake emergency shelters in Myanmar
When we remember and stand in solidarity together, the world becomes a little safer.
On World Humanitarian Day, let us hold its meaning close to our hearts. Miral Welfare Foundation will continue to provide swift and sustained humanitarian assistance anytime, anywhere, to protect the dignity and lives of our neighbors suffering in crisis around the world.