MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)

The United Nations Public Service Day, observed annually on June 23, serves as a reminder of the individuals who dedicate their careers to improving lives, strengthening communities and advancing the public good.

While public service is often associated with government institutions, its impact extends far beyond national borders through the work of humanitarian and development professionals serving some of the world's most vulnerable populations.

At the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the world's largest humanitarian organisation addressing hunger and food insecurity, professionals from diverse backgrounds contribute to global efforts aimed at supporting communities affected by conflict, displacement, economic hardship and climate-related challenges.

For humanitarian leader Noor Bukhammas, public service is ultimately about creating meaningful change in people's lives.

During missions to Uganda between October and November 2025 and again from April to June 2026, Bukhammas supported WFP programmes delivering assistance to refugees and communities facing food insecurity and malnutrition across the country's West, Southwest and Karamoja regions.

The experience offered a firsthand view of how humanitarian action can transform lives.

"In one settlement, I saw newly arrived refugees receiving emergency cash assistance that allowed them to meet their immediate needs with dignity," she said.

"In northern Uganda, I met farmers who, through WFP support, had increased their yields and productivity and were able for the first time to start saving income for the lean farming season."

She also witnessed how development investments can strengthen resilience in communities.

"I spoke to teachers in schools powered by solar energy and equipped with water harvesting systems, creating cleaner, cheaper and more resilient learning environments for children. I met parents who spoke about not having to decide between paying school fees or treating a sick child."

For Bukhammas, these moments demonstrate the true value of public service.

"As a young Emirati, witnessing these transformations firsthand and contributing, even in a small way, has been one of the greatest privileges of my career and continues to motivate my commitment to development and humanitarian work," she said.

While field visits often highlight the human impact of humanitarian programmes, Bukhammas emphasised that public service also takes place behind the scenes.

"Working at the intersection of partnerships, donor relations, humanitarian and development work does not always mean seeing these success stories on the ground," she said.

"I also spent weeks analysing data, reviewing food consumption scores and preparing materials for high-level meetings. Seeing both sides of that equation gives you a deeper appreciation for the importance of effective partnerships and evidence-based decision-making."

For Sara Fikree, a Strategic Market Analyst and Supplier Relationship Management Officer who joined WFP in December 2024, public service begins with understanding the complex realities behind food insecurity.

Through her work with suppliers and partners across the Gulf region, as well as a field mission to Ethiopia, she gained a deeper perspective on the challenges facing vulnerable communities.

"Working within WFP has fundamentally reshaped my understanding of food insecurity," Fikree said. "It has shown me that hunger is rarely an isolated issue; rather, it is often the result of interconnected challenges ranging from conflict and displacement to economic volatility and climate-related shocks."

Her experience reinforced the importance of looking beyond emergency relief alone.

"Most importantly, I have come to appreciate that effective humanitarian action extends beyond emergency response to strengthening resilience, supporting livelihoods and creating pathways towards long-term self-sufficiency."

Bukhammas noted that many of the solutions she has seen in the field - including solar-powered irrigation systems, water harvesting technologies, climate-smart agriculture and regenerative farming practices - demonstrate how innovation can strengthen resilience even in fragile environments.

"Food security is deeply tied to innovation and development that can thrive in some of the world's most vulnerable settings," she said.

As countries around the world confront increasingly complex humanitarian challenges, the United Nations Public Service Day also highlights the importance of international cooperation and multilateral institutions.

For Bukhammas, serving within an international organisation carries both professional and personal significance.

"Being Emirati in an international organisation carries a sense of responsibility," she said.

"I am a product of the investment that my country has made in its youth, in education and in creating opportunities for global engagement. I see it as my responsibility to carry forward the values that have shaped our society and been passed down by our ancestors: generosity, service and hard work."

She hopes to see more Emiratis pursue careers across international organisations and humanitarian institutions in the years ahead.

"I firmly believe that meaningful change happens from within institutions," she said.

"If we want international organisations to be more inclusive, representative and responsive to the communities they serve, we need diverse voices participating in decision-making at every level."

Fikree similarly emphasised the importance of collaboration in addressing global challenges.

"Through our work, we help reinforce the role of international partnerships in addressing food insecurity and supporting vulnerable communities," she said.