Have you ever imagined a world without care and support? Care and support are two vital parts of our lives that keep us happy and healthy physically and mentally. Every year on 29th October, the world celebrates “International Day of Care and Support”. Today, this world takes a day to applaud the caretakers and supporters in our lives. This day is dedicated to them. From healthcare workers to volunteers, this day shows us the positive impact these caregivers have in our lives. This day shows us their contribution to building a healthy and happy society. These individual workers and organizations like NGOs contribute to creating a culture of care and support.
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History
History of “International Day of Care and Support”
The International Day of Care and Support has deep historical traditions and the future, as far as the growing importance of care and support in society is concerned. This day was established to pay attention to the work of caregivers – paid and unpaid – who are the backbone of any care and support system.
The International Day of Care and Support was established in the early 21st century as a global agenda for sustainable development in society. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasized the importance of health care systems, mental well-being, and appreciation of unpaid care work, especially by women.
Several international bodies and groups like NGOs lobbied for a day that would spread a spotlight on caregiving and its essential role in building a healthy and happy society. The day was created not only to recognize the contributions of caregivers but also to call for policies and resources that support these vital roles, including healthcare access, mental health support, and financial resources for those providing care.
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What is the theme of “International Day of Care and Support 2026?
The United Nations has not released a specific theme for the 2026 International Day of Care and Support (October 29), but the purpose of this global day is to promote an investment in strong, inclusive, and resilient systems of care and support for all people. It will emphasize the importance of both paid and unpaid caregiving, especially in terms of human rights, gender equality, and social protection.
Why do we celebrate this day?
The International Day of Care and Support is celebrated-
- To foster a culture of care and support in our society.
- To applaud our unsung heroes -paid or unpaid.
- To pay attention to the importance of compassion and care in our society.
- To raise awareness about the positive impact of care and support in our lives.
- To Encourage mental health and wellbeing
- To Contribute to government initiatives that aid financial and healthcare policies.
- To Help and volunteer in NGOs to promote a culture of care and support.
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Involvement of International NGOs on this day.
International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) play a huge role in the celebration and coordination of care and support especially during the International Day of Care and Support. Their engagement also increases awareness of how essential caregiving is not only locally but globally and takes practical steps toward enhancing care delivery and ensuring caregivers’ rights and other vulnerable consumers are protected. Here’s how international NGOs are involved on this day:
- Running campaigns: International NGOs run various campaigns on this day to raise awareness among people about the importance of care and support in our lives.
- Formation of better policy: These NGOs ask the government for the formation of policies that can provide financial as well as emotional support to the caregivers whether paid or unpaid.
- Providing direct services: These NGOs provide healthcare facilities, mental health, and well-being facilities and provide support in a direct way to the people in need.
- Supporting volunteers and caregivers: The International NGOs show involvement on this day by providing support to caregivers and volunteers.
Role of NGOs in creating a caring and supportive world
1. Promotion of Rights and Justice: NGOs work for people who cannot defend their rights on their own. They advocate for policies that shape equality and social justice, they create an environment of compassion and justice for everyone.
2. Providing Essential Services: Most of the NGOs provide basic services such as; health, education, and counseling services among poor people. Through operating in underprivileged areas where no other public service providers can work, they guarantee support for individuals and families where such support is required.
3. Education and Awareness Jury: Non-governmental organizations carry out sensitization programs to create awareness on various matters such as mental health concerns, caregiver situations, and voluntarism. They help societies accept and understand the situations of disabled people and create a positive and interactive environment for such people.
Also Read: Role of NGOs in Senior Citizens
4. Building Community Networks: They act as social groups that help form community support groups whose members provide one another with resources and information. These networks create cooperation and solidarity by which communities are able to meet various challenges.
5. Promoting self-reliance among individuals and groups: Civil society organizations help to sustain people and communities through teaching, and offering services such as free or cheap education as per their family conditions. This results in higher levels of coping and willingness to care among contemporary community members.
6. The importance of improving Mental Health and Well-being: Some NGOs help people with mental health issues and provide counselling, workshops, and services. They initiate change in attitudes towards treatment for mental health disorders and encourage people to seek treatment and support.
7. Advocating for Policy Change: These Non-governmental organizations advocate for change in existing caregiving and social support policies. In this way, they promote concerns for adequate funding and protective policies for the caregivers.
8. Facilitating Volunteerism: They appreciate volunteers and promote volunteerism. In this way, volunteering makes people promote kindness and creating an environment of help within communities.
How can we celebrate this day to its fullest?
How you as an individual can celebrate this day? Well, some small act of kindness always works. One of the easiest yet most effective ways to celebrate this day is to express gratitude towards the caregivers. A simple ‘thank you’ note, a small token of appreciation, or helping them in their work can motivate them to work.
Volunteering is another way to make a change. You can volunteer your time at a local care centre, or even help a struggling caregiver in your neighbourhood, your help can lighten their burden of work. Besides, you can also increase people’s awareness about the significance of caregiving. You can inform as well as educate them through Twitter, Facebook, and other channels by sharing the facts, and messages among others that reveal the reality of the caregiving life hence mobilizing society to take action.
This also involves the fight for the caregiver’s rights. You can back petitions or write local authorities to demand changes to laws providing financial assistance, mental health support, or even a caregiver’s paid time off. Donations and small fundraising efforts also contribute to helping those in need.
Last but not least, be kind to yourself too. When giving emotional support to others in need, if you are a caregiver yourself, take a moment to applaud yourself.
This is how all individuals can contribute to the International Day of Care and Support by following these actions whether through an appreciation post, volunteering, advocacy, or personal portrayal that supports the day by bringing awareness and enacting the necessary empathy and change.
Also Read: Role of UNHRC in Safeguarding Human Rights
Conclusion
Today, by means of this article, we have learned the importance of the International Day of Care and Support which is celebrated every year on 29th October. We have learned the importance of Care and Support in our society so that we can build an environment of Compassion and Empathy in our society.
These efforts are further multiplied by NGOs through the promotion of policy reformation, lobbying for caregiving policies, and making sure that basic human right is delivered to the deserving needy. We should develop a network with the help of people, communities, and Non-Governmental Organizations to create a new world where caregiving is appreciated and backed up. NGOs play a vital role in our society in building a good and healthy society by providing education, healthcare, and other basic facilities in our society.
Also Read: UNDP and Its Partnership with India
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q-1) why do we celebrate “International Day of Care and Support”?
Ans – The International Day of Care and Support is celebrated-
To foster a culture of care and support in our society.
To applaud our unsung heroes -paid or unpaid.
To pay attention to the importance of compassion and care in our society.
To raise awareness about the positive impact of care and support in our lives.
To Encourage mental health and wellbeing
To Contribute to government initiatives that aid financial and healthcare policies.
To Help and volunteer in NGOs to promote a culture of care and support.
Q-2) what is the theme of “International Day of Care and Support” 2026?
Ans- The theme for “International Day of Care and Support 2026” has not announced yet.
Q-3) What role do NGOs play on this day?
Ans-) NGOs play a huge role in the celebration and coordination of care and support especially during the International Day of Care and Support. Their engagement also increases awareness of how essential caregiving is not only locally but globally and takes practical steps toward enhancing care delivery and ensuring caregivers’ rights and other vulnerable consumers are protected.
Q-4 ) How can we celebrate this day individually?
Ans- One of the easiest yet most effective ways to celebrate this day is to express gratitude towards the caregivers. A simple ‘thank you’ note, a small token of appreciation, or helping them in their work can motivate them to work. Volunteering is another way to make a change. You can volunteer your time at a local care center, or even help a struggling caregiver in your neighborhood, your help can lighten their burden of work.
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