Every day, humanitarian workers around the world face significant risks as they deliver relief and support to those in need. They act with selfless determination to serve people and communities affected by crises, including extreme poverty, displacement, armed conflict, and natural disasters. 

This World Humanitarian Day, the EJS Center pays homage to the humanitarians whose tireless efforts and unrelenting courage, even amid overwhelming challenges, have made them invaluable partners in the fight against poverty, violence, and inequity on the African continent.

Humanitarian aid workers are often at the forefront of global responses to these crises – and it is estimated that more than 40% of the half a million humanitarian workers who provide frontline care during emergencies and disasters are women. In Africa, women have long played a critical role in addressing the root causes of humanitarian crises. Their involvement is not only essential for response efforts, but for building more resilient and inclusive societies to safeguard against future crises. 

Women in Africa are also leading the development of solutions that help women and girls break the cycles of poverty and hunger – factors inextricably linked to humanitarian emergencies. Their work to create inclusive solutions in fields like education and healthcare, and their efforts to foster and encourage women’s economic participation, are not only responding to the needs of the most vulnerable, but reflect the belief that addressing gender inequalities in Africa is key to tackling the continent’s most pressing issues.

The EJS Center is proud to support and amplify the work of Amujae Leaders whose humanitarian efforts are making a difference. Amujae Leader Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah is the founder of the Healing Hands Organization, an NGO dedicated to providing medical and surgical care to vulnerable communities in Ghana that have limited access to adequate healthcare. With her background in conducting humanitarian operations in Nigeria, Amujae Leader Angela Nwaka is transforming the lives of elderly and underprivileged people by delivering medical and healthcare services through her Golden Rite Foundation.

Committed to the development of her country’s economy and improving the lives of its citizens, Amujae Leader Peggy Onkutlwile Serame is overseeing life-changing humanitarian work in Botswana, with a focus on youth, young women, and the girl child. An international development and humanitarian expert, Amujae Leader Seregbe Keita has occupied high-level positions in several international NGOs and has led extensive work to build the capacity of local institutions in order to help them tackle humanitarian crises in her native Guinea and beyond.

As we mark World Humanitarian Day, we not only honor the workers who devote themselves to aiding those in need, but also recognize the pivotal role that African women play in shaping a more resilient, inclusive, and equitable continent for all. Supporting women to reach the highest levels of public leadership is a key step toward alleviating poverty, reducing inequalities, and creating inclusive social and economic policies that bolster our continent’s resilience against all forms of disasters, emergencies, and crises.