From Ukraine to Gaza, Sudan to Myanmar, violence continues to uproot lives. In Yemen and beyond, bombs and bullets drown out voices. In 2024, civilian deaths in conflict rose by 40 percent, says the UN Human Rights Office. These aren’t just numbers—they’re people. Each life lost, each family displaced, carries deep pain. Yet, amid the chaos, humanitarians step forward. They deliver aid, offer safety, and defend human rights. On World Humanitarian Day, we spotlight six stories that show the heart behind every humanitarian response and the power of compassion in action.
Yeran Kejijian knows what it means to be displaced. Her grandparents were refugees in Lebanon, and their stories shaped her path. Now, as the United Nations Volunteers Country Coordinator for Lebanon and Syria, Yeran helps Syrians return home after years of exile. For her, rebuilding communities isn’t just about logistics—it’s about restoring dignity.
“Dignity starts when people feel recognized,” she says. Yeran leads efforts to recruit Syrian volunteers, placing recovery in local hands and turning personal history into hope.
Yuji Takahashi left his job as a teacher in Tokyo to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. As a UN Volunteer Programme Officer with UN Women, he works with women and girls in Cox’s Bazar, helping them learn skills and build confidence. At the Multi-Purpose Women’s Center, Yuji sees the impact of safe spaces and training. “It’s about making them feel protected,” he says. He works quietly behind the scenes—planning fundraisers and meeting donors to help make change happen.
Migration and humanitarian work come together to support people in vulnerable situations—like Gustavo Aparicio, who was born with physical disabilities and says the real barriers came from society. While studying law in Peru, he faced countless accessibility challenges. Now, as a UN Volunteer Legal Assistant with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Gustavo supports migrants and leads inclusion trainings.
In one session, Gustavo asked colleagues to navigate blindfolded—to feel what others live daily. “Disability isn’t inability,” he says. His work proves that inclusion starts with understanding.
Meanwhile, Mawouli Aimée Van-Lare spent her days traveling to remote villages in northern Togo. As a Community Health Specialist with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), she trained thousands of health workers and helped treat children for malaria, pneumonia, and malnutrition. She introduced digital tools to track illness and register births, bringing real-time care to families often left behind. For Mawouli, the mission is clear: connect health services to those who need them most.
In South Sudan, Karima Amadi served as a UN Volunteer Support Officer. She grew up in Afghanistan, where opportunities for women in development roles were limited. With the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Karima brought women into decision-making spaces. “It’s not just about filling roles,” she says. “It’s about changing mindsets.” In a crisis zone, her volunteer assignment brings forth the importance of women’s voices in humanitarian response.
Polina Galagan supports veterans in Ukraine, over three years into the war. As a UN Volunteer with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), she trains specialists to help veterans and their families cope with trauma.
“You need to understand what’s happening inside,” says Polina. She is one of 264 UN Volunteers who served across Ukraine in 2024—most of them women. Her work reminds us that healing isn’t just physical; it’s emotional.
These six individuals show that humanitarian work often begins with personal experience—of loss, exclusion, or resilience. From Syria to South Sudan, Peru to Ukraine, they turn their stories into service. On World Humanitarian Day, we honour not just what they do, but why they do it.
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