UNIC Manila, in partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard Auxillary (PCGA), which is composed of civilian volunteers, marked the 2nd global celebration of World Humanitarian Day last August 19 by holding two back-to-back fora for students of two Manila universities.

UNIC Manila National Information Officer (NIO), Teresa L. Debuque, led the guest speakers from the UN, including World Food Programme (WFP) emergency coordinator, Susan Robertson, and UN Volunteers (UNV) programme officer, Akiko Abe.

The WHD fora were held at the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC), particularly students of medicine, nursing, and medical technology; and Far Eastern University (FEU), which was composed of students from different colleges and numbering close to 500.

UNIC NIO Teresa Debuque described the challenges facing humanitarian workers worldwide, including the risks aid workers face in ministering to civilians in conflict areas. Ms. Debuque recalled the memory of Sergio Vieira de Mello, High Commissioner for Human Rights and Special Representative to Iraq, who perished in the bomb attack on UN offices in Baghdad on August 19, 2003.

Ms. Robertson discussed the strategies employed by WFP in responding to disasters and calamities, and efforts by the WFP to promote disaster preparedness and to ensure the sustainability of its aid programs.

Ms. Abe talked about the work of UN volunteers in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world, and invited the youth, including the students in the audience, to consider a career in volunteer work.

See also United Nations Information Centre, Philippines