WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) issued the following statement on behalf of the United States on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day.

"On World Humanitarian Day, we reflect on the legacies and lives of the aid workers who paid the ultimate price in service to helping others. We also celebrate and recognize with great appreciation the tremendous work aid workers worldwide continue to perform every day. Despite the risks, they sacrifice time with their own families to help other families in need in pursuit of a more peaceful and prosperous planet.

Today, we acknowledge all those who are working tirelessly in the Horn of Africa to respond to one of the most serious situations in the world today. More than 12.4 million people in the region are in need of immediate emergency assistance. We are responding robustly to drought, but more assistance is needed.

Americans can respond by texting "FOOD" to UNICEF (864233) to give $10, which can feed a child for ten days. For more information about organizations working in the Horn of Africa, visit USAID (www./what-we-do/working-crises-and-conflict/crisis-response/where-we-work/horn-africa).

We commend the inspiring work humanitarians perform each and every day and thank them all for their courage and dedication."