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Good Neighbors and World Humanitarian Day
Thirty years ago this August, Good Neighbors began the emergency response for the affected people of the Rwandan genocide, one of the gravest humanitarian crises of our time. Since then, we have been committed to standing with the most neglected and vulnerable people, transcending barriers of race, nationality, religion, ideology, and geographical distance, especially those suffering amid humanitarian crises. This unwavering commitment has remained constant over time in our recent responses in Ukraine, Türkiye, and Syria.
World Humanitarian Day, observed on August 19, was established by a United Nations resolution to honor the 22 humanitarian aid workers who lost their lives in a bomb attack in Iraq on the that day in 2003. Humanitarians save and protect lives and deliver the basic necessities of life. Whenever disasters strike and lives are at risk, humanitarians are there.
This August, commemorating World Humanitarian Day 2024 and reflecting on our humanitarian efforts so far, Good Neighbors honors the extraordinary work of all humanitarians working on the frontlines and their collaborators, who dedicate their careers to helping affected people.
Meet our courageous humanitarian workers who have been on the frontlines during emergencies.
Korea
Hyunhwa, our emergency response coordinator, is always among the first to arrive at disaster sites. When the Türkiye-Syria earthquake struck in 2023, she reached the affected area on the second day. The devastating scene she encountered, particularly the young children who were fearful and disoriented in the unfamiliar surroundings, filled her with a deep sense of urgency. The children were scared to stay in the camp and felt unsure about the people around them. Hyunhwa, recognizing the need for a safe space for the children, collaborated with partner organizations to run mobile education centers where children come to participate in diverse activities, helping them relax and socialize.
It was really touching that we could help these children have a safe place where they felt free to speak out and make friends.
Indonesia
Stephanie has expertise in psychology and has been helping people who experience trauma during emergencies. She believes that humanitarian work is about forming deep connections with those in need. During her response to the Türkiye-Syria earthquake, she met a girl at a child-friendly space who greeted her with a big smile. However, Stephanie soon realized that beneath the cheerful face lay traces of deep-seated trauma, a common reality in humanitarian settings. Such experiences rather reinforced her commitment to humanitarian work, understanding the emotional needs of those affected.
While talking to her, I asked if she was doing okay. She suddenly burst into tears, revealing the overwhelming thoughts she had been struggling with. As I embraced her, she began to calm down and looked at me with a much more serene expression.
Ukraine
It’s not only international workers who provide assistance to those in need; affected persons themselves become the humanitarian. Anastasia Shapoval, born and raised in Izmail, Ukraine, her life was forever changed when a bombing devastated her village, forcing her to flee to safety across the Romania-Ukraine border. When she arrived in Romania, being uncertain about her next steps, she encountered fellows, particularly children, who had also fled the violence. She also encountered humanitarian workers from Good Neighbors who were assisting those crossing the border. This experience ignited a passion in her to give hope and support to others in similar situations. Since then, she has actively involved in Good Neighbors Romania’s psychosocial support activities.
I was so inspired by humanitarian workers at the border that I felt compelled to join their efforts. Helping people from my country who fled to safety, just like me, is incredibly fulfilling.
All those committed to helping their community during emergencies are humanitarians. As stated in our core values, Good Neighbors organizes volunteers and enables them to contribute to their community. We recognize them as invaluable actors, who know best the local context, language, and needs. Their involvement also ensures a lasting impact.
In our humanitarian efforts, volunteers play a crucial role, particularly in providing psychosocial support to children affected by disasters. Many children struggle to express their trauma and need someone to listen. Our volunteers are there for these children and listen to their story in a reassuring presence. During these activities, some children express their grief through tears, while others share experiences such as the loss of their parents.
We witnessed the undeniable needs and our responsibilities to make children feel safer.
We are continually inspired by the dedication and commitment of the humanitarians, who demonstrate empathy in action. Their invaluable contributions reinforce our mission and commitment to creating a world where people live together in harmony. We deeply appreciate their courage and dedication on the ground, enabling us to achieve our mission.
Good Neighbors is an international humanitarian and development organization founded in 1991, working in over 50 countries to make the world a place without hunger and where people live in harmony. Engaging with over 200 communities globally, we empower people and transform communities through social and economic development initiatives. Good Neighbors has General Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC) since 1996.
For further information, please contact Good Neighbors Global Partnership Center.
