19 August 2025
As we celebrate World Humanitarian Day, we asked our team “humanitarian aid, what does that mean”? Helping those who need it most can result in a variety of actions. Our international teams feature their work on this special day:
“It is a challenge to help people fleeing through the desert, where borders are grey areas. But it is important for us not to forget them. Civilians are those who suffer the most from insecurity: in recent years, the escalation of violence in the Sahel has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes to seek refuge in safer areas.”
Joëlle Gustin, Project Manager for Mali and Benin at the Luxembourg Red Cross
“Working in humanitarian aid includes helping victims of climate change. On the African continent and around the world, we support the national societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in their emergency preparedness efforts, to save lives during floods or earthquakes.”
Prosper Zombre, Head of Mission, Democratic Republic of the Congo
“Our teams are part of the largest humanitarian network in the world: the Red Cross Movement. This position allows us to work hand in hand with national Red Cross societies, while deploying our staff quickly in the field, and to tailor our response to the well-documented needs of the local population.”
Rémi Fabbri, Director of the Humanitarian Aid of the Luxembourg Red Cross
“International humanitarian law (IHL) consists of treaties, including the Geneva Conventions, which must be observed during armed conflicts. Raising public awareness on these important rules is essential to strengthen their understanding and encourage their respect by all parties.”
Béatrice Winandy, Coordinator for International Humanitarian Law
