The United Nations office in Baghdad, Iraq was attacked by a bomb on August 19, 2003, resulting in the tragic loss of 22 humanitarian aid workers. As a tribute to these brave individuals and to express solidarity with those affected by conflicts or natural disasters, the General Assembly designated August 19 as World Humanitarian Day five years later.
Every year on World Humanitarian Day, partners from the humanitarian system come together to raise awareness of humanitarian work, advocate for the survival and dignity of those impacted by crises, and call for the safety and security of aid workers. This year, UNPA will release three stamp sheets featuring stunning artwork by Olga Shtonda, an award-winning illustrator from Kharkiv, Ukraine. The surcharge added to these stamps will go directly to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support humanitarian efforts.
CERF is managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and provides urgent aid to vulnerable people in need during crises. With funding from CERF, humanitarian partners can reach millions of people affected by disasters and conflict, providing them with much-needed essentials such as food, water, and healthcare. From Ukraine to Yemen and beyond, CERF is making a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
If you are interested to buy The World Humanitarian Day Stamp visit www.philaart.com
Souvenir Card
To commemorate the World Humanitarian Day stamp issue, UNPA will be releasing a souvenir card. This card features a statement from Secretary-General António Guterres and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths. A total of 10,000 cards have been printed and they are available in either mint or cancelled condition.
About the Artist
Meet Olga Shtonda, an artist and illustrator hailing from Ukraine. She pursued Graphic Arts at Kharkiv Design and Arts Academy from 2009 to 2015, where she developed a great fondness for printmaking techniques and textures that have significantly influenced her artistic style.
Olga has won numerous awards in several international illustration competitions. In 2019, she received the Ars in Fabula Grant Award, which afforded her the opportunity to study in Italy and earn a master’s degree in editorial illustration. She is continually learning and enjoys applying her knowledge of illustration in various fields, such as animation. Her artwork appears on book covers, children’s books, music posters, board games, and more.
Olga loves working with textures and vibrant colours, but what she values most is humour in her illustrations. In her free time, she enjoys travelling, riding her bicycle, and observing people. These activities help her collect materials, stories, and ideas, which she uses as inspiration for her next artworks. Her works are heavily influenced by humans and nature, and they are bright and cheerful because she loves seeing people smile.
