UN WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME PHILIPPINES CELEBRATES ‘HEROES AMONG US’ ON WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY

The World Food Programme (WFP) Philippines is joining other organizations and agencies in the country and around the globe in celebration of World Humanitarian Day on 19 August to bring attention to the everyday heroes who risk and dedicate their lives every day to help people in need.

These humanitarian heroes are the first to respond unhesitatingly during disasters, most recently during the past three major emergencies of 2013—the Zamboanga conflict, Bohol Earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) where WFP co-led three humanitarian clusters: Logistics, Food and Nutrition Security, and Emergency Telecommunications.

Leading WFP Philippines’ Humanitarian Heroes are three of their most seasoned humanitarian workers: Arlene Robles, Fahima Abdulaziz, and Jaslin Masbud, who have been in the frontlines for more than five years now, assisting during emergencies and regular operations on disaster preparedness and WFP’s programmes in the conflict-affected areas of Mindanao. Their stories are amongst countless other Humanitarian Heroes featured at http://worldhumanitarianday.org/aidWorkers/.

“We often hear of stories about what happens during emergencies. It is not every day that we see and hear the stories of the people who are doing all they can to help,” said WFP Philippines Representative and Country Director Praveen Agrawal. “These people, as well as WFP’s partners, are working tirelessly for a future with zero hunger—a future where all can achieve full development potential.”

In total, there are 139 humanitarian heroes working for WFP Philippines at present, both international and national staff, covering all WFP offices and operations in Manila, Cebu, and Mindanao.

Learn more about Humanitarian Heroes from WFP around the world at www.wfp.org/humanitarianheroes.

Along with highlighting staff stories on its website and through social media, WFP is participating in the United Nations social media campaign with the theme #TheWorldNeedsMore #HumanitarianHeroes, and is encouraging individuals to visit www.WorldHumanitarianDay.org. Here, visitors can learn about those working in the field and also make a difference themselves by raising their voices on the most pressing issues of the day.

Like this post? Subscribe to Manila Life by Email
Like Manila Life on Facebook to be updated.