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Happy and relieved – the Bulgarian humanitarians who were kidnapped in Darfur are going home!
Monday, June 6th, 2011
Talking to internally displaced people in Kalma camp, South Darfur
The three Bulgarian humanitarian workers, who had been abducted in Darfur in mid-January, were released today. As the European Commissioner for humanitarian aid, but also as Bulgarian and a mother, I am happy and relieved that Branko Chorbadjiiski, Alexander Dimitrov and Veselin Manolov are now out of harm’s way and will soon be reunited with their families and friends. Read the full entry
Number of views: 3894
I am on my way out of Tunisia. Today I travelled to its border with Libya, to see with my own eyes the evolution of the humanitarian emergency that followed the exodus of thousands of people who in the past week have undertaken the desperate flight from violence. Many of them are stuck at the border, unable to get home.
The first thing I saw upon arrival were the aeroplanes, dispatched to collect refugees and bring them to their countries of origin – aeroplanes from Egypt and China, Pakistan and Europe. They arrived in Tunisia empty and left full, and there were long lines of people waiting to get on board. The road to the airport was packed with buses, also full of people hoping for a ticket home. Read the full entry
Number of views: 3267
Tonight I was presented with a great honour and a great responsibility. I have been voted Commissioner of the Year and European of the Year in the 2010 EVawards.
I am the Commissioner with the best job, because what I do is to act on the most precious of European values – the solidarity with people in need – at home, but especially abroad. Last year we have touched the lives of 140 million people, suffering from earthquakes, floods droughts and conflicts. For that we are very grateful to the support of our citizens who, despite of the hardship at home, do stand by those in need. Eight out of 10 Europeans are in favour of humanitarian aid. It is them I owe this award to.
But I am also the Commissioner with the worst job, because there is so much pain and suffering around the world today. In the 21st Century, there should be no kid going to bed hungry – and millions do. I want to pledge to you and all Europeans that I will work as hard as I can to be where Europe is needed.
These awards are for the many Europeans who do humanitarian work, often in harsh conditions. They are the heroes who deserve our applause. Please join me in thanking them for their service to humanity.
Thank you!
Number of views: 4653
One of the most dangerous jobs in the world
Thursday, August 19th, 2010
The picture you see attached is one of the images used for eye-catching banners that are currently exhibited on two main buildings in the heart of the European district in Brussels. They demand the attention of EU officials, Members of the European Parliament, journalists and many other passers-by. The message of the banners is simple and clear: “Don’t’ Shoot, I’m a Humanitarian Worker!”
This campaign marks the World Humanitarian Day. Seven years ago, on 19 August 2003, Sergio Vieira de Mello, a great humanitarian and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and 21 of his colleagues died when the hotel they were staying at in Baghdad was bombed. This day has now been given a special place in the calendar, to commemorate Mr. de Mello and his colleagues and all humanitarian aid workers who have lost their lives helping others. It is also a day that aims at t highlighting current humanitarian needs across the globe. This year’s theme is “I am a humanitarian aid worker”, which gives us all the opportunity to express gratitude to these courageous and dedicated people, and to raise awareness of the dangers and difficulties they face as they carry out one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Read the full entry
Number of views: 2873
