The United Nations has honoured humanitarian workers who lost their lives while serving communities in need, with flag-lowering ceremonies held in Abuja and Maiduguri to mark World Humanitarian Day.
The ceremony brought together UN officials, partners and humanitarian actors to remember workers who died while carrying out their duties and to recognise the risks faced by those working to support vulnerable communities.
The UN Nigeria said the occasion was to remember the courage, dedication and sacrifice of humanitarian workers who lost their lives in service to others.
“Humanitarian workers are not targets,” the UN said.
Attafuah Honours Fallen Humanitarian Workers
UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, who joined the ceremony alongside other UN officials and partners, said the occasion was a reminder of the sacrifices made by humanitarian workers.
“We kicked-off World Humanitarian Day by honoring colleagues who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to humanity, with the lowering of the UN flag,” Attafuah said.
She also paid tribute to workers who continue to serve communities despite the challenges and risks associated with humanitarian work.
“We honor those who continue to serve, and we stand with the communities whose courage continues to shape the future,” she said.
UN Targets Recovery, Resilience in North-East
Attafuah said the commemoration comes as the UN begins important engagements in Nigeria’s North-East, with greater attention being placed on recovery and long-term peace.
She said the focus would be on moving from emergency humanitarian assistance towards a more sustainable response.
“Our focus is on accelerating the transition from humanitarian response to recovery, resilience and lasting peace through our work on the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus,” Attafuah said.
The approach brings humanitarian, development and peacebuilding efforts together to address the needs of communities affected by crises.
The World Humanitarian Day commemoration therefore serves not only as a tribute to fallen workers but also as a reminder of the need to protect those who continue to provide assistance to people caught up in crises.
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