PsySSA Commemorates World Humanitarian Day 2026
19m August 2026
The Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) joins the global community in commemorating World Humanitarian Day under the 2026 theme, “Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities.” This day highlights the importance of collective action, compassion, and support for people affected by crisis and adversity.
At PsySSA, we recognise that humanitarian action extends beyond immediate relief. It includes promoting psychological resilience, dignity, and mental wellbeing among individuals and communities affected by conflict, displacement, poverty, inequality, disasters, and social disruption. Psychologists and mental health professionals play an important role in humanitarian efforts by supporting recovery, strengthening resilience, and fostering community wellbeing.
South Africa continues to face social and humanitarian challenges that require locally grounded and community-driven responses. In line with this year’s theme, PsySSA emphasises the importance of empowering communities to participate in, lead, and co-create solutions that reflect their lived realities, strengths, and priorities.
As we mark World Humanitarian Day, we honour humanitarian workers across the globe and within our own communities. We also recognise the everyday acts of care, solidarity, and service that strengthen social cohesion and contribute to collective wellbeing.
PsySSA calls on psychologists, practitioners, researchers, students, and the broader public to advocate for equitable access to mental health services, support community-based initiatives, and uphold the values of empathy, solidarity, human dignity, and social justice.
Every act of humanity matters. Together, we can build stronger, more resilient, and more compassionate communities.
Contributions From Our Divisions
World Humanitarian Day: Learning about what it is to be human from humanitarian and community responders
As we mark World Humanitarian Day, we honour the courage and humanity of those who respond to crisis with compassion, solidarity, and an unwavering commitment to dignity. In a world shaped by conflict, displacement, and inequality, humanitarian and community responders remind us what it truly means to be human, to care, to connect, and to uplift one another across difference.
Their work challenges us to move beyond charity toward justice, to recognise the strength of local communities, and to embrace more inclusive, culturally grounded ways of supporting healing and wellbeing.
Read more to explore how these lessons can shape our understanding of care, community, and collective responsibility.
