By Foday Moriba Conteh
One of Sierra Leone’s leading Youth/Child led organizations, Action for Youth and Children Network Sierra Leone (AYCN-SL), in collaboration with partners has on Wednesday 19th August, 2020 commemorated World Humanitarian Day 2020 with the theme: “Celebrating Humanitarian Heroes and Heroines for Sustainable Development” during an auspicious ceremony held at the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) Hall on Campbell Street in Freetown.
Speaking during the ceremony, the National Coordinator of Action for Youth and Children Network Sierra Leone (AYCN-SL), Mohamed A. Kamara, disclosed that his organization decided to celebrate the World Humanitarian Day as a way of complementing the efforts of all humanitarians who have served humanity.
He said in 2008, the United Nations General Assembly designated 19 August as World Humanitarian Day to raise awareness on humanitarian assistance worldwide and to pay tribute to the people who risked their lives to provide such assistances further maintaining that World Humanitarian Day was first commemorated on the 19th August, 2009.
Mohamed Kamara continued that every year the world celebrates this day for all humanitarian workers stating that their organization, being a humanitarian organization established in 2013, decided to honour all humanitarians, many of whom are working in their own communities ,going to extraordinary lengths in extraordinary times to help women, men and children across the country. He added that since 2014 AYCN has been the only organization in Sierra Leone that usually celebrates World Humanitarian Day.
He said during this year’s commemoration they thought it fit to award certain individuals and organization who have been contributing tirelessly to save lives, help promoting humanity and creating the platform for people who are in higher need is Sierra Leone with their little resources.
Delivering his keynote address, Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Mohamed Haji Kella, expressed appreciation to AYCN for what he described as move in the right direction.
He added that as a Ministry they have to take part in the celebration because they want to send out a strong message to the nation about human rights, human equality and advocate for better life for children, women and to show gratitude to the vulnerable.
Kella stated that they are responsible for the welfare of all the vulnerable (the disable people, mentally ill people and the vulnerable women) in Sierra Leone and serving as the advocate for the welfare of children as well as also creating the platform for them and other humanitarian organizations to see that they are well supported and their needs are provided.
He assured them that as a Ministry they are ready to collaborate with them to see that children are saved because they are the future leaders, adding that on behalf of the Ministry he is applauding AYCN for their efforts in helping the vulnerable in the country.
Mrs. Olga Mani Moegbe, one of the recipients of the National Humanitarian Heroes and Heroine Award 2020, expressed gratitude to AYCN for considering their efforts in serving humanity in the country.
She said for decades now she has been working for the development of women and girls across the country.
Mrs. Olga Mani Moigbe urged Sierra Leoneans to use whatever platform they have to transform the lives of the vulnerable in Sierra Leone maintaining how there are many people who are in need.
The event was climaxed by awarding over 19 humanitarian institutions and individuals as Humanitarian Heroes and Heroine in recognition of their humanitarian activities across the country in a bid to transform the lives of vulnerable people in Sierra Leone.
