#messengersofhumanity

Don't forget that we can always make this world a better place .

#Readytogo when crisis strikes

Earthquakes, floods or tsunamis,our United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team has seen it all! Since 1993 they have been the first international emergency response team to arrive at the scene of over 281 disasters.

Now members of the UNDAC team share their stories with us from the frontlines of some of the world’s most memorable disasters.

They even provide us with a sneak peek into their “go-bags” or essential emergency bags that are “ready to go” with them as soon as the call to deploy to a disaster arrives. 

Can you spot Yoda? Find out what always needs to be in Jemilah Mahmood’s bag here

Are you #readytogo?

Three things you can do to help the Rohingya

You’ve probably heard a lot in the news about the Rohingya refugee crisis. This 90-second video will help you understand more about the situation and why it’s important to take action: 

What you can do

To date, more than 500,000 Rohingya refugees have fled to Bangladesh to escape the violence in Myanmar. When UN Humanitarian Chief Mark Lowcock travelled to Bangladesh this week, he saw people “with gunshot wounds, with burns and broken bones, bruised, battered and brutalized.” He witnessed the tireless efforts of the United Nations and our partners to provide these people with desperately needed food, shelter, health care and water, but the situation is becoming a humanitarian crisis on a catastrophic scale. The UN Secretary-General called it a “humanitarian and human rights nightmare.” Please stand with the UN Secretary-General and demand that all violence must end, that humanitarians have access to help people in need, and that all Rohingya are allowed to return home. Here’s what you can do: 

1. SHARE

Please share and let the world know that civilians are #NotATarget. They need to be protected.

#Rohingya refugees fleeing violence are #NotATarget. They need to be protected. Please share! https://t.co/0ESEeyq7Eb pic.twitter.com/puRn3TKZPP

— MessengersOfHumanity (@Msg_of_Humanity)

October 4, 2017

2. GIVE

We know that many of you don’t have the means to give money, but if you can spare the cost of a coffee, please consider donating to the United Nations Emergency Fund: http://unocha.org/cerf/donate. Every little helps.

3. SIGN

Need to know: What’s happening at the UN this week

It’s a busy week at the UN in New York, as world leaders and change-makers gather for the annual General Assembly meeting. Their schedules are packed as they are trying to find global solutions for pressing issues, including wars and conflicts, climate change, natural disasters and gender inequality.

Take action: World leaders must protect people trapped in war Let’s send a strong message from the Messengers of Humanity community to the world leaders gathered in New York: Civilians trapped in wars are #NotATarget. Please sign our petition and share on Twitter and Facebook to demand world leaders take action now.

Share on Facebook                        Share on Twitter

Not sure what the General Assembly is? We’ve got you covered. This short explainer video has all the information you need: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9iUnXtTwLs

Experience the General Assembly live.  Follow the General Assembly from the comfort of your home on the UN’s Live Web TV: http://webtv.un.org/

“We need to be a world at peace.” -  UN chief António Guterres

“Our world is in trouble. People are hurting and angry,” said UN Secretary-General António  Guterres at the opening of the General Assembly debate. He urged world leaders to create a world at peace. “I strongly believe that, together, we can build peace. We can restore trust and create a better world for all.”

Did you submit questions for the UN Secretary-General? Head over to Facebook to hear António  Guterres in his first Facebook Live interview.

Meet the new UN humanitarian chief

“When I was in Niger and Nigeria last week, I sat with refugees and displaced people whose lives have been disrupted and ruined by crises. I want to bring their story and their voice to world leaders.” Check out this Facebook Live interview with Mark Lowcock, the new UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, and hear his message to world leaders: https://www.facebook.com/unitednations/videos/10155818585165820/

Using their fame to do good – Celebrities at the UN

We spotted a few famous faces at the UN this week who are using their fame to shine a spotlight on critical issues.

Actor Robert de Niro joined our event on Hurricane Irma to support affected countries in the Caribbean. Watch his speech here: http://webtv.un.org/search/robert-de-niro-at-high-level-meeting-on-hurricane-irma/5577070708001

Game of Thrones star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, activist Malala Yousafzai and actress Ashley Judd helped launch a global initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls.

Muzoon Al-Mellehan, who fled Syria and is now UNICEF’s youngest Goodwill Ambassador, teamed up with Bollywood superstar Priyanka Chopra to urge world leaders to make sure refugee and displaced children can go to school.

3 things you can do right now to help Yemen

Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the Middle East, is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. Nineteen million people—two thirds of the country’s population—urgently need help.

Two years of violent conflict have forced millions of people to flee their homes, and thousands of people have been killed or injured. Countless numbers of families are now on the brink of starvation. The situation is so severe that half of all children are not growing properly because they do not have enough to eat. Without global support, people will starve to death.

We need to make sure that the world does not forget the people of Yemen. Will you be their champion?

Action 1 Talk about what’s happening… and keep talking Many people don’t even know there is a crisis in Yemen. Talking about the situation with friends and family or sharing on social media may seem insignificant, but such actions will help make this crisis more visible. The more that people know and talk about these unknown or forgotten crises, the harder it is for world leaders to look away.

Action 2 The power of three: get your friends and family involved Share this post with to three of your friends or family members and ask them to take the three actions. Together, our voices will be heard.

Action 3 Share #Aid4Yemen on social media Share and re-tweet our post on Facebook and Twitter, and tell world leaders they need to act now to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen.

Re-tweet (Click here).

Share on Facebook (Click here).

The UN and NGOs are working hard in Yemen to deliver emergency aid to the people most in need, but often they cannot reach these people due to air strikes and armed clashes. Aid workers urgently need funding and access to continue their life-saving work.

This week, world leaders met in Geneva, Switzerland, to address the suffering in Yemen. They pledged US$1.1 billion, which will allow the UN and our partners to deliver food, clean water, shelter and medicine to people in need.

Stay tuned for more actions to take over the next weeks!

Do you want to know more about the humanitarian crisis in Yemen? 

We cannot let the world ignore this.

Never forget that you’ve got the power and the passion to make a difference.

As you read this, more than 125 million people are trapped in crises worldwide, not knowing what the future will bring. We want to make sure that the world does not forget these people. Will you be their champion?

Unless images and videos are splashed across every news site, most people quickly forget about crises or don’t even know they exist. That’s why we count on you and your fellow Messengers of Humanity to spread the word to your friends, your followers and your family. The more that people know and talk about these forgotten crises, the harder it is for world leaders to look away.

Today we launch the first edition of our Forgotten Crises series, packed with information and details of actions you can take. Stay tuned for more over the coming months.

Forgotten crisis: Lake Chad region, West Africa

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

Seventeen million people across four countries in West Africa (Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria) are trapped in one of the world’s most devastating humanitarian crises.

The crisis is the result of years of violence related to the Boko Haram armed group, combined with extreme poverty and the effects of climate change.

WHY SHOULD I CARE?

People in the region have lost everything. Their homes have been burned to the ground, children cannot go to school, and women, girls and boys are suffering from violence and sexual abuse.

Hunger levels are rising dramatically as people struggle to find the next meal for their families. In Nigeria alone, half a million children suffer from severe malnutrition.

But it’s not too late. If we act together now, we can stop the crisis before it gets worse.

WHAT IS THE WORLD DOING?

The UN and NGOs are already in the region delivering emergency aid, but more life-saving actions are desperately needed.

On Friday 24 February, global leaders will meet in Oslo, Norway, to find solutions to end the suffering. The UN and its partners are asking global leaders to provide US$1.5 billion, which will allow them to deliver food, clean water, shelter and medicine to people in need. They will also use the money to help children return to school and help people rebuild their lives.

We’ll closely monitor the outcomes of the meeting and let you know if enough money was raised to deliver the urgently needed aid.

WHAT CAN I DO?

Action 1: The first step is simple but crucial: keep learning more about the crisis. Check out our resources below to read more about what’s happening in Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria. We’ll continue to send you updates.

Action 2: Talk about what’s happening… and keep talking. Many people don’t even know that there is a crisis in the Lake Chad region. Having conversations with friends and family or sharing our resources on social media may seem insignificant, but such actions will help make this crisis more visible. Remember: the more that people know and talk about this, the harder it is for world leaders to look away.

Action 3: If you have the means, please consider donating to the humanitarian fund in Nigeria. Your donation will provide life-saving assistance to people who need it most.

Action 4: Share this graphic on Facebook and Twitter, and let your friends and followers know that you will not forget the people of the Lake Chad region. 

More resources:

Blog: 12 forgotten crises to remember

Photo Story: They had to flee because of Boko Haram. Now they are trying to go back home.

Say hello to the new boss at the UN!

We have been busy planning some great campaigns for you to get involved in over the coming months – so stay tuned for inspirational stories to share, powerful actions to take,  and lots of opportunities to help make this world a better place.

As some of you may already know, on 3 January, António Guterres, former head of the UN refugee agency, became the new leader of the United Nations. The first thing he did on that day was to share his New Year's resolution with the world: “I appeal to you all to join me in committing to peace, today and every day. Let us make 2017 a year for peace.“ Wow!

After all the heart-breaking news that reached us in 2016 from Aleppo, Mosul, Yemen, Haiti and so many other places, how could we not agree with that! We all hope that 2017 will indeed be a year for peace.

António Guterres is also on track to become the UN’s most active Secretary-General on Social Media. On his first day he gave an interview on Snapchat and he is already tweeting away on his new Twitter account. Follow him @antonioguterres and, while you’re at it, why not leave him a welcome message with your hopes for the New Year!

With your help, we made a difference in millions of people’s lives last year all over the world! To check it out, scroll through our awesome interactive monthly timeline: 2016 Year in review

Don’t forget to follow the Messengers of Humanity Instagram account: www.instagram.com/messengers_of_humanity

Become a Messenger of Humanity: http://bit.ly/become_a_moh