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Make Humanitarian Assistance Possible: World Humanitarian Day 2024

August 19, 2024
Humanitarian Assistance

August 19th marks World Humanitarian Day, a day the United Nations has established to honor the 22 aid workers who lost their lives in a 2003 bombing. Each year, we recognize the importance of keeping those working on the ground safe—because these are the people who make humanitarian assistance possible.

When protected and supported, humanitarians can make the seemingly impossible happen. In each community and for every crisis, our teammates are playing their part to make sure lifesaving aid reaches people in need. On this World Humanitarian Day, learn from our teammates about what we’re doing and seeing in our daily work and why it’s so important that we can do our jobs safely.

“Each year it becomes harder to deliver humanitarian assistance. In the face of conflict and existential challenges, the Blumont teams find ways to keep their heads up — not only to deliver services, but also to strive for excellence,” said Blaire Davis, technical advisor for humanitarian assistance. “They remain self-aware and challenge each other to innovate. They make humanitarian assistance possible. I am proud to be on their team.”



Hear from our Humanitarian Workers

Salwa

Protection Officer in Northeast Syria

As part of the protection team, Salwa leads activities to promote the overall well-being of camp residents.

Why are you committed to being a humanitarian? What makes you feel like a humanitarian?

I’m motivated to work hard to bring about positive change in the lives of vulnerable individuals. Seeing acceptance, comfort, and happiness on their faces is truly rewarding. I see this among groups of teenage girls in youth initiatives and emotional support groups for women. Their repeated visits to our community center and their respect highlight the impact of our work.

How has humanitarian assistance changed the community you work with?

People who arrive at camps and shelters are often stripped of all life’s essentials. Humanitarian assistance helps these individuals adjust to their new reality. It has motivated community members to start anew, acquire essential skills, gain professional experience, and pursue careers to advance their livelihoods.

Luz Angela

Humanitarian Assistance Officer in Colombia

Luz Angela supports displaced women and children seeking safety in Florencia, Colombia.  Her duties range from providing health and education services to families to handling special victim cases.

How has humanitarian assistance changed the community you work with?

People come to us with various needs, both physical and emotional. The respect, timely support, and warmth we provide to each of these individuals, along with guidance on accessing their rights and local assistance, are crucial to them regaining their footing and moving forward with a new life.

Hussein

Hygiene Promotion Assistant in Northeast Syria

Hussein educates residents of displacement camps on good hygiene practices and disease prevention, distributes essential items, and communicates the needs of residents to camp management.

Why is it important to have local staff on humanitarian teams?

Local staff are familiar with the communities that they work in, they understand the cultural sensitivities, and they can lead discussions in the local language. Local staff bring valuable ideas or suggestions for future humanitarian programming as they best understand community needs.

Moutaz

Senior Community Mobilization Officer in Jordan

At Za’atari Refugee Camp, Moutaz engages camp residents in recreational activities that promote community connections, positive outlets for self-expression, and healthy coping mechanisms.

What does your job look like on a daily basis?

Each day involves new challenges, opportunities, and activities that keep the work interesting and fulfilling. This has taught me to be flexible, proactive, and responsive to the community’s needs. My job is crucial to building trust, fostering community engagement, encouraging participation in decision-making, and ensuring that the voices of community members are heard and addressed.

What do you need to be able to do your job?

To effectively perform the role of the humanitarian job one must have humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and passion, as well as accurate information, strong communication skills, continuous training, and a supportive network of colleagues.

Mayra Alejandra

Community Outreach Officer in Colombia

As a Community Outreach Officer for Acogida, Mayra Alejandra acts as a liaison between her community and the rest of our team, listens to community concerns, and connects individuals to essential support services.

 What do you need to be able to do your job?

Materially, I don’t need much, but I do need empathy and emotional strength to face difficult situations. I also need a diverse team so that we can listen and understand people without judging, while also making decisions together for the well-being of these communities.

How has humanitarian assistance changed the community you work with?

Humanitarian assistance does more than just provide material goods; it transforms people and communities. I’ve seen communities organize themselves to reach a goal, help each other, and commit to improving collective well-being.

Lorin

Community Mobilizer in Northeast Syria

Lorin leads daily activities for children living in a displacement camp. She hosts education sessions, reading and storytelling times, and other psychosocial support activities in the camp library.

Why is it important to have local staff on humanitarian teams?

The presence of local staff on humanitarian teams enhances community acceptance of programs, makes activities more effective, and makes it easier for residents to connect to services.

What do you need to be able to do your job?

For me to do my humanitarian job, there need to be safe spaces for both staff and the communities we work with.

Wael

Field Assistant in Northeast Syria

As a field assistant in a displacement camp, Wael supervises the construction and operation of child-friendly areas—like a soccer field—and learning centers to ensure camp residents are able to enjoy safe recreational spaces.

Why is it important for humanitarian spaces to be protected?

Communities have the right to access relief during disaster or conflict. For them to exercise this right, humanitarian workers must have unobstructed access to areas in need and adequate living conditions that allow them to deliver essential aid.

Shinda

Distribution Officer in Northeast Syria

Shinda, a distribution officer in a displacement camp, ensures that residents rightfully receive the food and household items that are distributed daily in the camp.

Why are you committed to being a humanitarian? What makes you feel like a humanitarian?

I am committed to humanitarian work because I want to equitably help people in need go from a challenging life to a life full of happiness, satisfaction, and comfort. When I see the smiles on the faces of the beneficiaries, I feel that I am a humanitarian.

Marwa

Community Mobilizer in Northeast Syria

In a displacement camp, Marwa organizes and leads interactive awareness sessions, where she works with camp residents to address community challenges. Marwa also connects residents with support services and shares important messages with the community via an information desk.

What does your job look like on a daily basis?

From ensuring they have access to a range of services to assisting them in resolving disputes, my role is centered on advocating for the community’s needs and rights. My work addressing and solving problems in the camp with confidentiality and sensitivity is crucial for building trust with camp residents and empowering them to seek help and assistance when needed.

Delber

Program Officer in Northeast Syria

As part of the SAFER team, Delber coordinates and oversees activities in informal settlements such as bread distribution, maintenance and cleaning, and awareness campaigns.

Why is it important for humanitarian spaces to be protected?

Protecting humanitarian spaces is important for the timely and unbiased delivery of aid, as well as for protecting the dignity and lives of those most in need.

How has humanitarian assistance changed the community you work with?

It has significantly improved the living conditions for displaced people living in informal settlements, where humanitarian assistance is often limited. These support services have created a safe environment for camp residents, have allowed them to meet basic needs, and have created job opportunities.

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