WFP Real-life heroes. A call to serve humankind
Ever wondered what the most online searched and popular keywords were in 2020? It is not surprising that Google trends reveal that Coronavirus is a colossal search topic this year, eclipsing many other popular subjects. Among searches relating to whether children can pass on Coronavirus, what good hobbies to take up during lockdown, and when a coronavirus vaccine is ready, people wanted to read about the pandemic’s frontline heroes.
The other day my sister’s daughter, who is about to turn six next month, asked me, “Auntie, what is a hero?”. When I was a child, I thought heroes were immortal warriors who over-powered those who would try to harm or take from us the things we love most. The reality is that people created heroes and myths inspired by human experiences.
While many people around the world have been asked to stay home to combat COVID-19, health workers have been placed on the frontline of the pandemic to protect us at significant risk of exposure. They are undoubtedly the heroes of our times, and they are not fictional characters. There are many others, as no one group of professionals can manage this crisis alone. Among them, humanitarian workers worldwide are recognized as “real-life heroes” by the United Nations for their work on the front lines of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, doing ‘extraordinary things, in extraordinary times.’ One of them works at the World Food Programme (WFP) and currently manages the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) in South Sudan.
WFP Real-life heroes: a call to serve humankind
WFP won the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize at a time when the fight against hunger is taking on greater urgency in a world shaped by conflict, climate change and the coronavirus pandemic. In response to COVID-19, WFP’s logistics services used a network of hubs, passenger and cargo airlinks, and medical evacuation services to enable a steady flow of cargo and humanitarian workers to the frontlines of the pandemic at a time when airlines were shutting down. WFP’s Common Services helped humanitarian partners such as the World Health Organization get critical staff and equipment, from ventilators to face masks, around the world.
One frontline humanitarian worker acting behind the scenes is Geoffrey Mwangi, who has a solid aviation background. A Kenyan, he has joined WFP in 1999, in Lokichogio, the resupply logistics point during the war between what is now Southern Sudan and South Kordofan in Sudan. Conflicts, natural disasters, epidemics — you name it, Geoffrey was there, leading as Chief Air Transport Officer in four of the most challenging United Nations Humanitarian Air Services operations (UNHAS) led by WFP: Somalia, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and South Sudan, while in between he supported emergency response operations in Sudan and Pakistan.
During the COVID-19 emergency, Geoffrey has the same role in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country already facing significant public health challenges with outbreaks of Ebola and measles.
While the EVD outbreak was well controlled in the northeast, four new confirmed Ebola cases were detected in the northwest in June. “The outbreak spread across 300 km at its widest points, both from east to west and north to south. Without the air transport services provided by WFP, it could take days to reach affected populations in this country with a surface area equivalent to that of Western Europe.”
Days after flights were suspended in March, a state of emergency was declared, and borders were closed.
“Every other aviation company in the country, including the United Nations peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO suspended services,” says Geoffrey. “We were the only aviation active service in the country that could continue transporting humanitarian workers and medical personnel and deliver lifesaving supplies, including COVID-19 medical items and samples. Every sample of COVID-19 suspected case needed to be transported to Kinshasa, where there was the only laboratory in the country.”
Geoffrey and his team have been through a lot. They worked relentlessly to secure permissions from the Government to fly, implement appropriate quarantine arrangements, and ensure preventive measures to contain the disease’s spread. “We knew that UNHAS was the only available option to provide vital air transport services. This was motivating us enough to continue supporting those who were needing us the most, despite the extreme pressure, tiredness, and fatigue.”
“Like falling dominoes, issues kept lining up. The stringent restrictions on travel enforced by the local authorities resulted in a reduced flight activity affecting the operation’s financial stability. On top of this, one of our captains arriving in Goma tested positive for COVID-19. At that moment, we felt so exposed, and we thought that this unfortunate event could jeopardize all the achievements reached. Thanks to our donor community and our partners who have strongly supported us throughout the emergency response, we managed to overcome some of these obstacles.”
When dealing with stress and pressure, Geoffrey’s mantra: “continuously communicate transparently and proactively,” is particularly effective: “Every day I had meetings with all teams involved. “ The operation has received great feedback and sincere appreciation from donors and the humanitarian communities, as UNHAS was the only option for them to access remote areas and for medical and security evacuations.
“When I knew that WFP won the Nobel Peace Prize, that was the most exciting moment of my life. Being away from my family for 21 years to serve WFP entailed a lot of sacrifices. This was a symbol of recognition for all those sacrifices.” Said Geoffrey. He dedicated this prize to his family and mentioned that his kids naively asked him if TV reporters said their dad’s name while announcing the Nobel Peace Prize. He also dedicated this achievement to all the colleagues that crossed his path and supported him through his career.
When asked what the secret of his success is, he replied: “It is critical for someone to succeed to appreciate colleagues’ work under any role. Everyone’s contribution has a significant impact on the lives of the people we serve in this complex working environment. This is not a job for me, but it’s a call and an opportunity to serve humankind, and this is the most extraordinary form of satisfaction and success.”
