A Day in the Life of a Humanitarian Worker

World Humanitarian Day was created after a bomb attack on The Canal Hotel killed 22 humanitarian aid workers in Baghdad, Iraq, on 19 August 2003. Advocates use the day to champion the survival and wellbeing of people affected by crises, and call for the safety and security of aid workers. This year, we talked to Mary Angelica Carillo, a Senior Protection Officer working with the International Rescue Committee on the Colombia-Venezuela border. She shines a light on the complex humanitarian crisis that is ongoing, and what she does to support those most affected. 

Angelica, what is your role and why is it so crucial right now? 

I work in Cúcuta, the capital of Norte de Santander in Colombia, a border city with Venezuela that has been a key point in the Venezuelan humanitarian crisis for nearly 10 years. It is a complex crisis due to the challenging economic situation that has been felt across the country, as well as mass migration making it difficult to access basic services such as food, medicine, and health services. Thousands of people have used Cúcuta as an exit route, but many families have also stayed here seeking a better future. This makes Cúcuta a critical area for the IRC’s response, supporting both Venezuelan migrants and those affected by Colombia’s armed conflict, which has been ongoing for more than 60 years.

Unfortunately, Cúcuta has a complex situation, due to the presence of armed groups and security dynamics that leave children and adolescents exposed to protection risks: recruitment risks, sexual and labour abuse and exploitation, begging, neglect, and abandonment, among others.

We serve adolescents in and around the city, supporting them to overcome these risks and improve their life trajectory, mitigating the impact of the crisis on both them and their families.

How do you look after your own health and wellbeing while working in challenging situations?

Being a humanitarian worker is a constant challenge that requires finding a balance between work responsibilities and personal life, without losing sensitivity and keeping focused on the humanitarian principles that guide us, because we want what we do to have a positive and lasting footprint.

I try to eat healthily, walk and drink enough water during the day. I am strict with myself by establishing boundaries between work and family time. I do self-care activities that allow me to disconnect and release accumulated stress, and I also make an effort to take care of my team, creating spaces to share and unburden ourselves of the difficult situations we face. This helps us to stay strong and united.

Serving 200 people may seem small in the face of the magnitude of global challenges, but the holistic impact we can have on the lives of the people we reach – both children and their families – is profound and transformative. For us, the most important thing is the potential for change in the lives of those who depend on our support, their satisfied faces and the children’s smiles: that’s what really counts.

What one thing can readers do to support the work you do?

This crisis has unfortunately been made invisible and Venezuelans in need continue to move in different directions of the migratory flow, both in South America and in other parts of the world. For that reason, they continue to require our support, however possible. Educating yourself can be the first step in helping to raise awareness of the situation. I invite readers to learn a little more about our response in Colombia and Venezuela by visiting the website, www.rescue.org/country/colombia.

World Humanitarian Day stands as a powerful reminder of the courage, dedication, and selflessness of those who step up in the face of crisis. It’s a day to honour the unsung heroes who tirelessly work on the frontlines, delivering life-saving aid and bringing hope to millions. Let’s continue to reflect on their stories and support their efforts in a world that needs humanity more than ever.