Around 6,000 Americans are employed throughout the United Nations system and hold more leadership positions in key UN agencies than any other country. These Americans are on the ground worldwide delivering humanitarian assistance, medical care, food and hope to millions of people in need.
With tremendous gratitude for their service, we wanted to highlight a few inspiring stories.
“There is so much pain in the world. But there are also people—many, many people—who care. And we have to keep showing up for each other.”
“OCHA brings all the different elements together to see how we can restore, rebuild and help populations become more resilient for the future.”
“Communities look to the United States as an area of friendship and that has helped us politically. It’s helped us economically.”
“There’s an economic benefit to being part of global humanitarian action. But with funding cuts, there’s a cost to people back home as well as those we serve.”
“From where I’m sitting right now, I can reach two-thirds of the world’s population in less than eight hours—some of the most vulnerable people on the planet dealing with disaster.”
“I want to make sure the mother, the housewife, the person making decisions on nutrition, reproductive health and mental health have the latest information they need to make the right choices for the whole family.”
“WHO gives us a sense of what’s happening in all countries that are part of the organization. That offers people like me a chance to bring the full breadth of my background to do more good for more people. WHO offers that platform, that place. It’s a privilege.”
“People sometimes forget that WHO is not just an abstract institution—it’s made up of people deeply committed to improving health outcomes. I see colleagues deploying to war zones, responding to humanitarian crises and working tirelessly every day.”
“When we remember the WHO definition of health, which states that health is more than merely the absence of disease and infirmity, but the attainment of the highest level of physical, mental and social wellbeing, then the value of the arts becomes apparent.”
“The norms and standards that come out of WHO are incredibly important. They fill gaps where necessary and provide a global perspective on the best available evidence and novel treatments.”
UN Peacekeeper and former New York City police officer Ken Payumo talks about his work protecting civilians in one of the most volatile crises on the planet.
Los Angeles native Laura Johnson describes her work with UNTSO in Jerusalem: “What if we weren’t there? The intent of peacekeeping is to allow sides to get together for conversation.”
BWC President Peter Yeo speaks with U.S. peacekeepers, including Wisconsin native Paul Synder, on the future of peacekeeping.
