Save the Children Celebrates Humanitarian Workers in Kano, Commends Frontline Sacrifices

Save the Children International (SCI) has celebrated humanitarian workers at its Kano Field Office for their dedication and sacrifices in protecting vulnerable children and supporting communities across Kano State and Nigeria.

The organisation marked World Humanitarian Day on Wednesday, August 19, with personnel at the Kano Field Office and a delegation from the SCI National Office joining the commemoration to recognise the contributions of humanitarian workers working in challenging environments.

Speaking on behalf of the SCI National Office, the Deputy Director of Programme Operations, Mark Umoru, described humanitarian workers as the backbone of the organisation’s efforts to protect children and improve their wellbeing.

Umoru commended the Kano team for their commitment to ensuring that children survive, access learning opportunities and remain protected from harm, diseases and other vulnerabilities.

“I really want to say that the team seated here, you are the backbone of the work that we do in Save the Children,” Umoru said.

Read Also:

Nigeria Records Over 2 Million Zero-Dose Children, Ranks Among Highest Globally — Save the Children

Only 35.5% of Nigerian Newborns Breastfed in First Hour – UNICEF

ICRC, Nigerian Red Cross Continue Tracing 17,000 Missing Persons Cases in Nigeria

“We are extremely, extremely proud of what you do here. You are representing Save the Children well, and you are doing all you can do to ensure that children in Kano survive, have access to learning opportunities, and are protected.”

He acknowledged the demanding nature of humanitarian and emergency response operations, saying the sacrifices made by frontline workers could not be measured solely in financial terms.

“Thank you so much for the work you do. I know that this work can be very, very, very demanding, so we see your sacrifices,” he said.

“There is no way that you can be paid for the sacrifice that you do as a humanitarian. But we believe that all that we are doing will not be in vain.”

Umoru expressed confidence that the interventions being implemented by Save the Children would continue to produce meaningful results for children in Kano, Nigeria and other parts of the world.

He congratulated the staff on World Humanitarian Day and encouraged them to remain committed to the organisation’s mission.

Also speaking, the Head of Internal Control and Compliance at Save the Children, Doyinsola Aramide, conveyed the appreciation of the organisation’s Senior Management Team (SMT) to humanitarian workers across Nigeria.

Aramide said the decision by senior management to identify with regional offices, including the Kano Field Office, during World Humanitarian Day was deliberate and intended to directly recognise the contribution of frontline personnel.

She praised staff working in difficult and high-risk environments, noting that humanitarian operations often require workers to overcome significant logistical and security challenges to reach vulnerable populations with essential assistance.

According to her, some humanitarian workers have had to access locations that are difficult or impossible to reach by vehicle in order to deliver life-saving support to children and communities within critical periods.

Aramide also paid tribute to humanitarian workers who had lost their lives while carrying out their duties, expressing concern over the growing risks faced by aid workers in conflict and crisis settings.

She noted that humanitarian workers whose primary objective was to save lives and protect vulnerable people had increasingly become exposed to danger in some parts of the world.

She reaffirmed the organisation’s support for its frontline teams and urged staff to remain committed to their work, stressing that the impact of their contributions could not be adequately measured through financial compensation.

The Kano Field Manager of Save the Children International, Malam Abdullahi Magama, expressed appreciation to the organisation’s Senior Management Team for its support to the Kano office and staff.

Speaking on behalf of the Kano Field Office, Magama acknowledged the responsiveness of the senior management to requests and concerns raised by the field team.

He said although some requests might not receive immediate attention, management had continued to consider them and provide responses where possible.

Magama recalled some of the challenges previously faced by the Kano office, particularly regarding the working environment, and commended the organisation’s leadership for taking steps that had improved conditions.

He described the Kano Field Office as one of the organisation’s strong field offices, saying the current environment had become more conducive for staff to carry out their responsibilities.

He assured the organisation’s leadership that the Kano team would continue supporting Save the Children’s mission of saving lives, protecting children and ensuring access to education while addressing diseases and malnutrition.

Magama also commended members of the Kano team for their cooperation and resilience, acknowledging that management decisions might not always align with individual expectations but could ultimately be taken in the interest of the organisation and its personnel.

He urged the team to remain united and focused on their humanitarian responsibilities.

“We will continue to work for children, and let’s continue to see that every child that comes across us, where we have a way to save, we continue to save that child, continue to provide education, and continue to protect that child so that the child can become the future leaders of tomorrow,” Magama said.

The World Humanitarian Day commemoration provided an opportunity for Save the Children’s Kano Field Office and representatives of the National Office to recognise the dedication of humanitarian workers and reaffirm their shared commitment to protecting vulnerable children and supporting communities in need.

Photo News: