World Humanitarian Day Aug 19 2025

 Aug 19 - Is World Humanitarian day - and it was started in 2008 to honour humanitarian workers and promote awareness of the humanitarian efforts globally.

The theme for 2025 is Strengthening Global Solidarity & Empowering Local Communities

I started working in development sector in late 1998 - yes its been a minute! The theme for this year is indeed apt - empowerment begins from the micro level...that's is where change has to happen!

I checked my albums, and here are some pictures

This is me with colleague when working with Cordaid,  at Lake Paradise in Marsabit National Park. This was around 2005 and was my very first visit to Marsabit. We had supported disaster risk reduction projects in Marsabit county and this was a monitoring mission

This is me in Samburu - receiving a beautiful necklace from the women - who exclaimed how thick my neck was! oh well....hehehehehe

This is me with my colleague in Dukale Moyale ...am holding a beautiful container that is used to store milk - called Gorfa (correct me if thats not the right name!). If i remember right, this place was nested between hills and the community was not able to access clean water - the project was a water pan for them to capture rain - very scenic place

In Oloitoktok...with a womens group

in Lodwar - promoting local enterprises

Means of transport :)

Back in 2005 the roads to Northern Kenya were very bad....when I see these highways now 20years later, am like...its about time!! Access to everything is important for growth....and this was a long time coming

I love and enjoy what I do - we get hit once in a while (like the big one done by Trump admin, weuhh) but we do what we do  because we see the evidence of change at community level!

Salute to all the humanitarian workers! Especially those who live with the communities they serve.... the work is challenging, but rewarding....

You make a difference...receive your flowers :)

Reflections to 50 - Day 39 World Humanitarian Day

 Today is Sunday Aug 18

Tomorrow is Aug 19 - World Humanitarian Day

the theme for 2024 is so apt - #NoMatterWhat: Humanitarians Deliver

Over the years in the humanitarian space, I have interacted with all manner of people and weuh the stories....some of anguish...some of triumph...some of the conflict and hard to reach areas are not for the faint hearted!

from Oloitoktok to Chalbi...from Kakuma to Dadaab....the cry for dignity is evident.

no one wants to live an impoverished life because of circumstances beyond their control - unfavourable weather patterns or selfish leaders leading to protracted conflict. we all want better for our children, and so humanitarians come in and partner with communities to make this future possible

Cheers to all Humanitarians workers!! 

#LeaveNoOneBehind

One Humanity

Today is World Humanitarian Day - the theme is One Humanity

Its been marked every Aug 19 since 2009....started by UN Secretary General Ban Ki- Moon, and in his own words, its an..."annual reminder of the need to act to alleviate the suffering. It is also an occasion to honour the humanitarian workers and volunteers toiling on the frontlines of crises. I pay tribute to these dedicated women and men who brave danger to help others at far greater risk."

http://www.unocha.org/whd2016

So who is a humanitarian? one definition is that its a person actively engaged in promoting human welfare and social reforms; a missionary of sorts, they leave comfort of where they grew up decide to go to another place to help out

What could be their motivation?? for some its the profound need to ensure everyone gets justice, for some (if religiously inclined) its the innate need to extend Gods mercy and kindness to others, and for others it could be,well, more personal - the need for adventure, career progression and of course money.

Never mind their motivation, they find themselves in unfamiliar territory, hopefully since they are different, they can be impartial and ensure what needs to be done is done without prejudice.

However, aid work can be romantisized...to appear charming and that one sails through this with the gratification of having helped someone in need....I doubt this is the case....aid work, is HARD, very HARD. The challenges aid workers face are immense...I have heard several accounts of their experiences and you are tempted to ask the (insensitive) question - but why do you bother?? so you don't ask...you try and sympathise.....but it doesnt make so much sense to you...BUT they carry on doing what they do....there are many blogs about that

https://www.odi.org/comment/9795-life-humanitarian-frontlines-challenge-staying-course

http://www.redr.org.uk/en/News/aid-worker-stories.cfm

http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/08/17/490383488/aid-workers-provide-harrowing-account-of-being-attacked-in-south-sudan


BUT, I choose today to still celebrate those that, despite these challenges, and regardless of their motivation, choose to do this work.

Hats off to you.