World Humanitarian Day - August 19th
On this World Humanitarian Day, we shine a light on those who put their own well-being aside to be there for others. People working in crisis zones, helping in disaster situations, or quietly supporting behind the scenes what others can barely endure.
I’ve been in many of these situations myself—not at the world’s major hotspots, but at small personal crisis centers right within our communities. As a medic soldier, a paramedic on the streets, part of a motorcycle rescue team, on medical services—and today, often in psychosocial emergency care.
I remember one call where I sat next to a young man who had just lost his father. We simply sat there. I hardly said a word. But in that moment, that was exactly what he needed: not to be alone.
These moments remind me over and over:
Humanity doesn’t need a title or a uniform—it needs presence.
Even outside of emergency lights and uniforms, compassion can make an impact.
As a UX designer, I know how deeply digital systems can be part of that humanity—or fail to be.
I’ve worked for many years in fields like commerce, e-commerce, financial services, and especially healthcare—whether that’s emergency apps or patient portals. Often, it’s invisible design choices that decide if people feel understood or lost.
At the center is the human being—with their goals, their understanding, their fears, and the pressure they feel from others or themselves.
I’ve learned: design should not only be beautiful or functional, but compassionate. Clear language, smooth processes, and thoughtful interfaces can provide real security—especially when users are emotionally or physically at their limits.
At the heart of it all are the people who need our help—often in their darkest hour.
People who suddenly lose everything, who lose their footing—they need more than expertise; they need one thing above all: genuine, lived compassion.
But those of us who help are not invincible.
Engaging with mental health—professionally and personally—has shown me: helpers are vulnerable. And that’s okay. We need breaks. Space. People who sometimes ask us: “How are you really doing?”
It’s not enough to be strong for others—we must also learn to be there for ourselves. True strength isn’t never stumbling—it’s knowing when to ask for help and being willing to accept it.
Because only those who take good care of themselves can truly be there for others.
So here’s my call to action today:
Whether you work in a social profession, design, code, or simply live as one human among others:- Compassion is not a luxury.
- It’s an attitude.
- And you can live it actively—no matter where you stand.
Ask yourself today:
- Where can I act with more empathy?
- Who can I truly see
- and how can I show a little humanity today where it might be missing?
Because humanity doesn’t start “out there”—it starts with us. Here. Now. Every day.
https://www.un.org/en/observances/humanitarian-day
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