WE ALL BLEED BLOOD
It’s been a long time since I felt like writing, but today, I couldn’t resist the urge. I just returned from a six-month program with the United Nations, where I had the chance to travel extensively.
During this time, I interned with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and gained a wide range of experiences. It was my first time working with an international organisation, my first time leaving Nigeria, and my first time visiting Europe. While these first-time experiences were incredibly exciting, they were also overwhelming. I couldn’t quite believe everything that was happening — like how did I go from job hunting to working with a United Nations cluster in Geneva?
After sorting out essentials like travel documents, accommodation, and money for initial settlement, I was ready to fly. I flew with Qatar Airways, and my itinerary was exhausting. The flight from Nigeria to Qatar took like eight hours, followed by a three-hour layover in Doha’s airport, which felt like an amusement park. Then, I took another four to six-hour flight to Geneva. Upon arrival, I wore my dad’s winter jacket from Nigeria, but I was completely unprepared for the cold. It felt like being submerged in an ice-cold bath; the jacket was no match for the winter weather and felt more like a heavy singlet.
Transitioning from the airport to my accommodation was thrilling. I still couldn’t believe I was in another country; everything felt like a dream. I was struck by the efficient transport system, the ticket payment stalls at each bus stop, and the random police patrols. It felt like being immersed in a Hollywood flix.
Working with a UN organisation
The world is small when working in a United Nation organisation, and that helps you truly understand the meaning of diversity. People from different cultures, backgrounds, race, sexual orientations and life aspirations, setting aside those differences and working hand in hand to solve the world’s biggest problems. In my case, this involved advocating for refugees, stateless individuals, and internally displaced persons. I’ve always believed in “giving back to the community,” but this was my first time seeing people who are “giving back to the world”.
With a degree in computer science, I used to envision countless applications for my IT skills. However, I never imagined how these skills could be used to help those truly in need, people who are seeking to have their voices heard and searching for their identity. Now I see there is an aspect of tech not yet fully explored in the world, “Tech for social good”.
Geneva is quite an interesting city
I was stationed at the UNHCR headquarters in Geneva. Geneva is a hub for international organisations, so the city is full of expatriates. Aside from the expats, Switzerland itself is fascinating. It has three official languages — French, Swiss German, and Italian — reflecting its borders with France, Germany, and Italy. Interestingly, people from the French-speaking part of Switzerland often can’t understand those from the German-speaking part, and vice versa. I jokingly think that the Tower of Babel story must have happened in Switzerland because it’s remarkable how people from the same country can have such communication barriers. Despite these language differences, Switzerland remains one of the most peaceful and developed countries in the world.
Geneva is in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and navigating life there with the language barrier was an enjoyable challenge. I still managed to make friends who spoke both French and German. Despite the language differences, I found that humans are fundamentally the same everywhere — curious, and eager to connect. This experience reinforced my belief that, irrespective of language, our shared humanity binds us together.
My time in South Sudan
In my quest to see firsthand the people at the receiving end of donor appeals and most UN refugee programs, I visited South Sudan to understand the refugee situation there.
As I mentioned in one of my previous pieces, “Humanity in Numbers,” no one is a NPC (Non-Playable Character). Every one of us has goals, aspirations, and feelings. In South Sudan, I witnessed hope — a war-torn country rebuilding itself from the ground up. Despite the ongoing refugee crisis, which has become more strenuous as many international organisations withdraw due to financial shortages from major donors, there is a resilient spirit among the people. Refugees from Sudan are banding together to sustain their community with the limited resources available.
Refugee situations vividly illustrate the devastating impact of war, economic hardship and worsening climate conditions. The primary victims of war are not just those who perish, but those who survive to witness the unfolding destruction, living while dying inside. What benefit do our leaders gain by struggling for power just to govern a war-torn country? It serves nothing but their selfish interests.
But Guess What?
As much as we are divided by religion, tribe, language, location, race, and financial status, in critical moments, none of that matters. When we are injured, one thing remains the same: we all bleed blood.
