Answering Crisis with Courage: Meet 7 Humanitarians Making a Difference
Stories of crisis make headlines almost every day, yet we rarely hear about the heroes responding on the front lines.
Across the globe, humanitarian workers are helping people in their time of greatest need, often putting their own safety at risk. Whether they are helping displaced families restart their lives, delivering life-saving vaccines, or providing vital reproductive care, they all embody courage and humanity. And their stories deserve to be heard.
What motivates these unsung heroes to put their own lives on the line? What are the challenges they face and the lessons they’ve learned?
Meet seven inspiring individuals who work for United Nations humanitarian agencies and motivate us to support the UN’s life-saving work.
Anjali Sen, United Nations Population Fund
Works as a representative for UNFPA in Yemen
On why she works in the humanitarian sector: “During the 2015 Nepal earthquake, I was very engaged with the humanitarian response. There I saw firsthand how big the needs and vulnerabilities of women and girls are in such situations, that it came alive to me the difference you can make in a person’s life with even the simplest form of assistance.
When you work in the humanitarian sector, you actually feel you help to make a difference or save a life. Whether its providing hygiene items to a woman fleeing conflict or running a mobile clinic in an area where hospitals have been damaged due to a natural disaster, you are able to reach out, reach those most in need and make a tangible difference.
When the position of Yemen came up, a country with the biggest humanitarian crises in the world, yet with so little global attention, I wanted to take on that challenge and at least try to make a small difference.”
On the lessons she’s learned: “In a humanitarian situation, like in Yemen, the situation is so dynamic. The issues you have to address changes almost daily. For instance, we would be trying to address the biggest cholera outbreak in the world, and then you get an acute emergency in the western coast, with thousands of people being displaced.
In the midst of all this the people who are actually suffering, especially the women and girls show so much courage and resilience because they have hope — they have hope for a better future, hope to achieve their dreams and aspirations. If you lose hope as a humanitarian, in any crisis or disaster, then you cannot serve the people who need your help.
I have learned that it is so important to remain positive and hopeful, and never give up on anyone or any situation.”
Roberto Mignone, UN Refugee Agency
Works as UNHCR’s representative to Libya, based in neighboring Tunisia.
On why he works in the humanitarian sector: “I was backpacking through Asia, and I met refugee children from Myanmar in a village in northern Thailand. I was giving them sweets and I was thinking, I hope, one day, I can come back with something better. That’s when I knew I wanted to work in this field.
The Karen ethnic group were the first displaced indigenous people I met. But since joining UNHCR in 1993, I have worked with other indigenous people in Guatemala, Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, and the Philippines.
Working with them has become my priority and favorite area of work, because they are particularly vulnerable, and they are disproportionately affected by conflict. You have no doubt that they need protection.”
On the most rewarding part of his job: “When I was in Colombia I carried out 250 missions to the deep field by horse, on foot, by small boat, going to communities in the remote jungle.
One time I remember we went to the Chocó region — on the Pacific coast bordering Panama. We had to take a boat for two days, across the ocean and then up a river, to where the Emberá indigenous people were confined by drug traffickers.
When we reached the village, everyone ran away, because, at the time, the only people who visited them meant them harm. So we spent a few days there and, little by little, they began to trust us. We explained, ‘We’re here to protect you, we are not the bad guys,’ so they understood that.
I have a picture taken in the village. I am sitting and a little girl is standing behind me, and she put a hand on my shoulder. It meant that even the children understood that we were there to protect them, not to harm them. That was my best day at work.”
Hasan Burhan, United Nations Population Fund
Works as a Youth Program Assistant to UNFPA in Homs, Syria
On why he works in the humanitarian sector: “I agree with the saying: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work again.” I feel lucky and blessed to be where I am now. I am always motivated and encouraged to bring the best of me because the feeling I get when I help others is pure joy. Working in the humanitarian field gives you a chance to be surrounded by honorable people who are capable to do all within their powers to assist others. I believe that we, as human beings, need to build and always strive to make the world a better place.”
On the most rewarding part of his job: “The most rewarding part of my job as a youth assistant is meeting inspiring youth who believe that they can bring about real change to the world.”
Mithu, UNICEF
Community nurse working for the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Nepal
On the challenges: “Honestly, we are a little scared deep down, but we know that we have to be courageous and continue our work.
After the [April 2015 Nepal] earthquake, the roads to our work areas were badly damaged. There wasn’t even a gravel road. But I am very glad and proud that I have been able to support these mothers and children. I have been doing this for a while and will continue it in future. I am very happy to be able to do this.”
Shirin Aktar, UN Refugee Agency
Works as a Protection Associate with UNHCR in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
On why she works in the humanitarian sector: “In 2001, I was a student and I started working with a UNHCR team interviewing Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, which is my home. I speak English and the Chittagong dialect, which is similar to Rohingya. We talk like them and we dress like them. When I heard their stories, why they fled, how they are living here, I just said, ‘Yes, I want to be an aid worker.’ I wanted to help.”
On the most rewarding part of her job: “As a protection associate, I used to meet with UNHCR’s partners and with community leaders at what were then the two official refugee camps in Bangladesh: Kutupalong and Nayapara.
I also work in the area of sexual and gender-based violence, or SGBV. I work mostly with women and children. Around 80–85% of reported cases are of domestic violence. Then there are a smaller number of cases of rape, sexual assault, trafficking and child marriage. We work with the survivors and report the cases to the appropriate authorities. It’s rewarding when I can close a case.”
Dr. Chiranjit Das, World Health Organization
Works as a National Professional Officer for WHO’s Immunization Services in Bangladesh
On the most rewarding part of his job: “I really enjoy my job and this is probably why I have been doing it for 10 years.
I remember during one of my visits to an area where the community was resisting vaccination. The children ran away as we approached. So we first convinced one child, and after giving him the vaccine we said, ‘Can you tell your siblings and friends that it is ok?’ He quickly brought them, and we gave them the vaccines.
We vaccinated many children that day. As the other children saw that the vaccines were fine and not too painful, they too came, and then parents started bringing their children.”
Yamana Zedan, United Nations Population Fund
Works as a Gender Program Assistant forUNFPA in Damascus, Syria
On why she works in the humanitarian sector: “While there are people whose lives are more balanced than others, there is a big proportion of the world that is suffering from hunger, poverty, displacement, and other issues.
I work in the humanitarian sector because I envision a world where people are equally enjoying their life. I, myself, am an internally displaced person so I know how conflicts affect people’s lives, what it means to have needs for survival and I know how impact development and humanitarian strategies can help people.”
Her message to others: “Everyone can do something, and it is our choice to do so. I always remind myself to imagine the impact that I will make on people’s lives if I take action.”
In 2018, the UN made a record appeal to help some 136 million people worldwide affected by conflict, natural disaster, and poverty.
With so much need in the world, the UN — and courageous humanitarians like these staffers on the front lines — need our help now more than ever.
On World Humanitarian Day, and every day, let’s call for the protection of aid workers and civilians in conflict. They are #NotATarget. And let’s continue to support the UN’s lifesaving work across the globe.
Go to worldhumanitarianday.org and join the #NotATarget campaign by signing the world’s first ‘living petition’ and demanding greater protection of civilians and humanitarian workers in conflict.
