Artwork by Wanitchakarn Mai-arin
Today, August 19, marks the global celebration of people helping people. World Humanitarian Day recognizes the efforts of humanitarian workers who have dedicated their lives to providing aid and relief to those who are in need in the wake of man-made conflicts and natural calamities. Every year, millions of people suffer greatly from these disasters, and none are more vulnerable to the disadvantages of these crises as the poor.
This year's theme for World Humanitarian Day is 'It takes a Village.' While it is true that it takes a village to support people in crisis, it also highlights the importance of the millions of volunteers, professionals, and crisis-affected people who deliver urgent health care, shelter, food, water, protection, and many more.
As Malala Yousafzai said, “When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful." Indeed, there will always be people who will muster up the courage to step up and make a difference. Humanitarian work is one filled with sacrifice, but it is ultimately in service of making the world a better place.
In honor of World Humanitarian Day, UST-CASA Chronicle would like to shed light on several notable humanitarian workers today.
Greta Thunberg
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| Photo from the European Parliament |
Swedish teenage youth climate activist Greta Thunberg embarked on a venture to draw international attention to the climate crisis in 2018. The then 15-year-old began a solitary protest outside the Swedish parliament in Stockholm, skipping Friday classes, to demand the government act on global warming and climate change. She started the strike alone and eventually launched Fridays for Future.
To know more about Greta Thunberg and her contributions, click here
Malala Yousafzai
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| Photo by The Guardian |
Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist known as the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. At 15, she was shot in the head by Taliban forces after defying them and having advocated for women's education. She survived the attack and to this day, continues to speak out about the significance of education for all children, regardless of gender. Malala went on to write the bestselling book 'I Am Malala' and co-founded the Malala Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides girls with access to quality education.
For more details about Malala Yousafzai, click here.
Ilwad Elman
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| Photo from Highsnobiety |
Ilwad Elman is a peace process leader born in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. She fled Somalia for Canada when her parents were granted sanctuary there following the outbreak of violence in 1991. Elman returned to Somalia to join her mother as a peace activist and carried on her father's legacy by establishing the non-profit and non-governmental organizations in Somalia: Elman Peace and Human Rights Centre in Mogadishu. She works for Somalia's human rights, gender justice, protection of civilians, and peacebuilding. She is also one of the leading proponents of the Principles for Peace Initiative. Elman campaigns for the voices of conflict-affected women and youth through these groups. In addition, she is renowned as one of the champions of peace and security who specializes in combating violence.
To know more about Ilwad Elman and her life story, visit The Kofi Annan Foundation.
Qjiel Mariano
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| Photo from ABS-CBN |
Another outstanding humanitarian worker, Qjiel Mariano, a 21-year-old nursing student from the University of Santo Tomas, was acknowledged by a US-based organization called the Youth Service America’s Everyday Young Heroes. He was recognized for his act of leading a literacy program in the Philippines, his home country, to help the youth to identify what their community needs and to be able to make a book that advocates the fulfillment of the 17 SDGs. Qjiel was able to execute his program with the help of volunteers, NGOs, parents, and as well as children. He continued to stay faithful to his advocacy even during times of crisis brought by the pandemic. He actively rallied in order to provide hygiene kits, school supplies, and radios for the students, believing that young people have a very important role to fulfill in the future for the country.
Read more about Qijel Mariano here.
Brenda Escalante
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| Photo from UNHCR |
Brenda Escalante is one of the many Filipino humanitarians employed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). She travels wherever and whenever she is asked to assist refugees. Brenda is an expert at offering crucial support to one of the toughest humanitarian situations of our time, from Serbia, to Bangladesh, to South Sudan.
As the Protection Officer for the UNHCR, she advocates on behalf of refugees and their right to a dignified existence. She claims in an interview with the UN that the refugees themselves serve as her inspiration since they have unwavering resilience, courage, and drive to overcome great adversity.
To know more about how it was like for Brenda Escalante to work as a national protection officer, visit United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Humanitarian leaders come from diverse backgrounds, circumstances, and occupations, as this list of people shows. All actions that attempt to better humanity are worthy of celebration, whether they involve creating an accessible organization for the minority, holding hands with mother nature, or making peace with the horrors and atrocities committed by others in the face of genocide.
Countless incredible humanitarian organizations are putting efforts every day to extend help. The ability of human empathy to inspire group action saves lives and liberates the environment. Ordinary people, whose own safety and well-being are put at risk, band together in large numbers to help strangers they may never meet.
You can support their ongoing efforts by donating to them in honor of World Humanitarian Day.
UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES
Once again, Happy World Humanitarian Day, CASAns!
