The United
Nations celebrates the World Humanitarian day every 19th of August,
but when I reflect on the activities of the world in the last couple of years,
I question man’s humanity. Questions such as; Are we still humans? Do we still have any humanity left in us?
What exactly apart from our physical and biological features differentiates us
from animals? These thoughts, which are constantly tossed around in my head do
not come as a surprise to me. They are the brain’s interpretation of what my
eyes see every day around me and on television, what my ears hear from people’s
testimonies. The world we live in is gradually losing its essence.
The concept
of humanitarianism is a moral of kindness, benevolence and sympathy extended to
all human beings. However, I am afraid this concept is lost in this generation
where the death toll keeps rising. These deaths do not arise from the spread of
infectious diseases or natural causes but from man taking up arms against a
fellow man. From people who wake up and decide that a particular day is meant
for taking lives to people who decide to engage in actions of suicide bombing.
How else can we explain the killings in Nigeria by the Boko haram sect, or the
killings in Syria? Then I hear they are fighting for a cause, what cause
exactly? A cause that leads to the displacement of thousands from their homes,
a cause that leaves children orphaned and impoverished. That is no cause!!! It
is a manifestation of our loss of humanity. Deep inside we all have one cause,
happiness! How can harming another person be the source of happiness to one?
The
examples above may seem distant from those who haven’t experienced armed
conflict or street cross fires but again there are other ways we have lost
touch with humanity in our little comfort boxes. The UN estimates that a total
of 130 million people are living in crisis and are faced with impossible
decisions every day, what steps are we taking to alleviate their situation. You
don’t have to join the UNV (but if you can please do), you can start by finding
a solution to the source of conflict in your neighbourhood, by going an extra mile
to ensure you support the activities of humanitarian organisations, by ensuring
that child abuse is eradicated, by lending a hand to your neighbour, by showing
love to the aged, the list is endless but take your pick and start somewhere. This
should be done out of empathy and not in a bid to get recognition, this is not
a political game! Do not be like people that respect their own but scream and intimidate people of other
races, making them feel like they are weevils in beans, humans are better than
that. The human race has managed to survive for many years because of
organisation and working together. We’re not dinosaurs!! We’re humans and
that’s what we should show in our actions.
In any case I
would sign off by reflecting on the actions of the great Nigerian doctor- Late Dr
Ameyo Adadevoh, whose humanitarian acts prevented the wide spread of Ebola in
Nigeria. I am inspired by her actions,
which were truly humanitarian because it cost her life. She showed us that she
still believes in this world, that there is still hope for humanity. This human
race is still worth fighting for, #takeactiontoday.
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