Hauwa, Saifura, true heroes of Red Cross, Red Crescent

On Tuesday 23rd July, in Maiduguri, the parents of Hauwa Liman and Saifura Hussaini, received the highest international distinction in the nursing profession their daughters have been awarded. Along with the President of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Elder (Chief) Bolaji Akpan Anani, I was privileged to lead the medal presentation ceremony. This award immortalizes […]

On Tuesday 23rd July, in Maiduguri, the parents of Hauwa Liman and Saifura Hussaini, received the highest international distinction in the nursing profession their daughters have been awarded. Along with the President of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Elder (Chief) Bolaji Akpan Anani, I was privileged to lead the medal presentation ceremony.

This award immortalizes the outstanding contribution of our two dearest colleagues, who gave their lives in 2018 while serving as midwives in Rann, Borno State. At that time, they were offering much needed services for the mothers of the community. Badly hit by the armed conflict, the town of 80,000 people, had only three health care centres operational. Hauwa and Saifura were the only midwives working in the ICRC-supported facility.

Hauwa Liman was then 24 years old, Saifura Hussaini 25 and mother of a little boy. Their devotion to their people, for whom they gave their lives has profoundly moved thousands of people around the world and deeply impacted the International Committee of the Red Cross as well as the people our organization assists.

Every other year, the Florence Nightingale medal recognizes exceptional courage and devotion to victims of armed conflict or natural disaster. This year, twenty-nine outstanding nurses from 19 countries have been awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal. The recipients were nominated by their respective National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society and selected by a commission comprised of the ICRC, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Council of Nurses.

Hauwa and Saifura are truly heroes of the Red Cross and Red Crescent family, the health professionals and the humanitarian actors. We shall not forget them. Their sacrifice inspires all of us and will continue to inspire us for many years to come, just like Florence Nightingale has inspired generations of nurses for over a century.

At the International Committee of the Red Cross, we remain committed to pursue their dream, by continuing to deliver humanitarian services and assistance for the most deprived and vulnerable people of Nigeria affected by the armed conflict, in Borno State and beyond.

I cannot but reiterate that the legacy of Hauwa and Saifura is well alive and will be for many years to come.

Eloi Fillion, Head of Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC