World Humanitarian Day: 10 Real Life Heroes To Discover

Every year, World Humanitarian Day is dedicated to recognizing humanitarians and those who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes. Humanitarians are all around us and take many forms, whether they are doctors, aid workers, librarians, individuals or organizations. And this year the day highlights the immediate human cost of the climate crisis by pressuring world leaders to take meaningful climate action for the world's most vulnerable people.

We've rounded up a handful of humanitarians who have already had an impact on humanity, as well as those whose names you may not know but are doing important work.

Greta Thunberg - Climate Activist

"We can't save the world by playing by the rules, because the rules have to be changed. Everything needs to change – and it has to start today."

Xiye Bastida - Climate Activist

"We are on Earth to take care of life. We are on Earth to take care of each other."

Leah Namugerwa - Climate Activist

"Most people do not care what they do to the environment. I noticed adults were not willing to offer leadership and I chose to volunteer myself. Environmental injustice is injustice to me."

Isra Hirsi - Climate Activist

"It is my future, it is the younger ones' future, and it's less the older ones' future."

Alexandria Villaseñor - Climate Activist

"I want to focus on education and empower people all over the world to take direct action"

Malala Yousafzai - Champion for Girls Education

"One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world."

Graça Machel - Champion for Girls Education

"Preventing the conflicts of tomorrow means changing the mindset of youth today."

Angelique Kidjo - Champion for Girls Education

"Everyone wins when children - and especially girls have access to education. An educated girl is likely to increase her personal earning potential and prepare herself for a productive and fulfilling life, as well as reduce poverty in the whole community. Investing in girls' education also helps delay early marriage and parenthood. Our booming economies in Africa need more female engineers, teachers and doctors to prosper and sustain growth."

Mamokgethi Phakeng - Champion for Girls Education

"There is no smart work without hard work. Smart work only happens after hard work."

Peace Ayo - Champion for Girls Education

"People are your greatest assets and your greatest liabilities. The challenge is to keep caring about them and understanding them no matter what. So you can become a positive influencer in their lives. Always be yourself and you will find your place in this world."