MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HONOURABLE MRS KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR, SC, MP, ON THE OCCASION OF THE UNITED NATIONS’ WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY 2025
UNITED VOICE
MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HONOURABLE MRS KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR, SC, MP, ON THE OCCASION OF THE UNITED NATIONS’ WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY 2025
Trinidad and Tobago today joins the United Nations in marking World Humanitarian Day, honouring those who risk their lives to aid people in crisis and remembering the 22 colleagues lost in the 2003 UN bombing in Baghdad.
Their sacrifice calls us to protect life, uphold dignity, and act with courage.
In that spirit, I salute the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross, ODPM volunteers, faith-based charities, medical teams, first responders, and community groups, whose quiet heroism saves lives every day.
This year’s theme — #ActForHumanity: Protecting Civilians, Protecting Humanitarians — reflects my Government’s ethos: security with humanity, service with accountability, and delivery over rhetoric. In every disaster or climate emergency, we will uphold international humanitarian law and protect those who deliver relief.
Our record of regional solidarity is strong—from mobilising after hurricanes to standing with neighbours in need—and we commit to deepening this tradition with a clear focus on resilience, safety, and good governance.
We will also strengthen disaster preparedness; safeguard the dignity and security of all who deliver or receive aid; and enhance coordination and information-sharing so help reaches people swiftly and fairly.
These principles will guide our work with regional partners and domestically, through transparent collaboration among government, civil society, and the private sector.
I urge citizens to #ActForHumanity: donate blood, support a relief agency, mentor a displaced child, or check on an elderly neighbour after heavy rains. Small acts, multiplied across our twin-island Republic, build the safety net that no government alone can weave.
Let our watchwords—Discipline, Production, Tolerance—extend to compassion in action. May God bless our humanitarian workers, and may God bless our nation.
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