Ahead of World Humanitarian Day, Concern's Chief Executive Dominic MacSorley reflects on another challenging year for the aid sector and the need to engage younger generations
Many humanitarians work in their own communities, going to extraordinary lengths in extraordinary times to help people whose lives have been upended by crises and the global COVID-19 pandemic.
These first responders are often people in need themselves — refugees, members of civil society organisations, and local health workers. They bring food, shelter, health care, protection, and hope to others amid conflict, displacement, disaster, and disease. In response to thousands of people whose homes were destroyed or badly damaged by the recent chemical explosion in Beirut, families opened up their homes to help their neighbours.
Part of Concern’s emergency response is providing resources to support the network of localised volunteer groups that have sprung up to help the clean-up and recovery. These groups include migrant workers, architects, and engineers who are responding with their hands and their hearts. Working alongside our own teams, the dedication, perseverance, and self-sacrifice of these real-life heroes represent the best of humanity as they respond to the immediate humanitarian needs of this latest disaster.