On the ground Working in the worlds most dangerous place

Sixteen years ago, 22 aid workers were killed in a bomb attack on the UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq.

In their memory, every August 19 — the day of the attack — people across the globe mark World Humanitarian Day. The day is also an opportunity to celebrate those who dedicate themselves to helping others. From generous USA for UNHCR donors ... to people who welcome refugees into their countries … to the UN Refugee Agency’s committed staff members, each is working to create a safer, more peaceful world.

This World Humanitarian Day honors #WomenHumanitarians — who make up 40 percent of UNHCR’s 16,803 staff members in 134 countries. In some of the most dangerous places on earth, they are on the ground — helping people who have fled violence and persecution. Two of them, Yumiko Takashima and Hyo Mee Duerinck, recently took time out of their busy days to share what inspires them and to describe how the generosity of caring Americans makes their work possible.

Yumiko Takashima: 
“What amazes me is people’s resilience.”

Since September 2018, Yumiko, a native of Tokyo, has led UNHCR’s office in Aleppo. Half of the city — which was Syria’s economic hub before war broke out in 2011 — has been destroyed. 

Yumiko and her team of 60 support families who were forced to flee the fighting but have since returned home. “People here have faced very difficult situations, but they don’t look back, they just want to move forward and have normalcy in their life. We as humanitarians can help our fellow human beings ... to move on,” she explained.

One of Yumiko’s responsibilities is ensuring the smooth operation of UNHCR-supported community centers and satellite centers throughout Aleppo as well as mobile teams that serve people in small, remote villages. In each setting, Yumiko and her staff provide legal advice, counseling, job training and catch-up classes for children who have missed school. “Children are the future of Syria and we want to make sure that they are not left behind,” she explained.

Yumiko has witnessed the impact of donor support: “I know it’s so easy to forget what’s going in the next town, country, continent. But I get to see what happens when [donors] do help. People are strong. With a little support, they can go on with their lives.”

Hyo Mee Duerinck: 
“What keeps me going is seeing people still smiling.”

In November 2018, Hyo Mee Duerinck was deployed to Bangladesh as a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Officer with UNHCR on a short-term mission. Her task was to oversee the construction of dams to retain water before the streams ran dry — and to make sure refugees could survive the dry season. “The previous year we trucked in water but that was very costly, so we wanted to avoid that,” she explained. 

It was a race against time to help the Rohingya — a historically persecuted religious minority. Since August 2017, Myanmar’s military forces have driven 750,000 women, children and men from their homes to seek safety across the border in Bangladesh. Today, they live in our world’s largest refugee camp.

In less than two months, Hyo Mee and her team built four dams which, with the reservoir they fill, have ensured a steady water supply. “It’s about people being able to fulfill their basic needs in a dignified way. That’s where UNHCR makes a real difference,” Hyo Mee said.

The generosity of caring Americans also has a profound impact. During her time in Bangladesh, Hyo Mee watched as the Royhinga arrived — after running for their lives, escaping abuse and seeing their loved ones killed. According to Hyo Mee, “the support of donors can make the difference between life and death” for families in desperate need.

Here’s how you can help

You may not be on the ground in Syria and Bangladesh with Yumiko and Hyo Mee, but you have the power to save refugees’ lives. Become a monthly donor, which is the most convenient, efficient and effective way you can help — on World Humanitarian Day and every day of the year. Please sign up with your first monthly gift today.