Red Cross and the Journalism We Need By Fatimah Yusuf Usman
On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, something quietly remarkable happened at the PRNigeria Centre in Abuja. A delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) walked in—not with a press kit or a polished pitch, but with purpose.
They came not just to speak, but to listen. Not merely to inform, but to connect. In a nation where conflict, displacement, and humanitarian crises have become almost normalised, this visit was a quiet act of defiance—against silence, detachment, and the overwhelming noise of misinformation.
It was also a strong reminder that even in conflict zones, collaboration is not only possible, it is necessary. Led by Aminu Dawobe, Public Relations Officer, and Esther Eleojo Akpa, Communication Officer, the ICRC team came to deepen its relationship with the media—particularly a platform like PRNigeria, known for its consistency in crisis communication and security reportage.
Esther Akpa was clear about their mission: “We are not here to control the narrative. We are here to support journalists who report conflict with sensitivity, accuracy, and a clear understanding of the humanitarian space.”
It is a space that is often misinterpreted. For an organisation that prides itself on neutrality and impartiality, the ICRC has had its share of misunderstandings. In emotionally charged times—like during prisoner releases or community interventions—their neutral stance is sometimes mistaken for political alignment or passivity.
But neutrality, in the ICRC’s context, is not avoidance. It is presence without prejudice. As Dawobe emphasized, the ICRC’s actions are grounded in seven fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
These are not theoretical ideals—they guide every food distribution, every family tracing effort, every field visit. “We have facilitated the release of 82 Chibok schoolgirls. We are still tracing over 24,000 missing persons in Nigeria. We reunite children with their parents, yet there is still suspicion,”
Dawobe said, with calm conviction. “But we stay the course. Because what matters to us is not perception—but lives.” The conversation with the PRNigeria team was refreshingly honest.
From editors to interns, questions flowed about visibility, public perception, and how humanitarian journalism can evolve in an age of digital distraction.
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It was clear that the ICRC is not only open to improvement—it is actively seeking ways to grow. Dawobe called for the media to look beyond event-based reporting and commit to telling layered stories that capture the dignity and resilience of people in crisis.
PRNigeria’s Assistant Editor, Zekeri Laruba, responded with a pledge of support—reaffirming the platform’s readiness to partner on strategic communication, capacity building, and fact-checking initiatives that promote truth and empathy in humanitarian narratives.
The work of the ICRC in Nigeria is neither glamorous nor popular. It often unfolds away from the cameras, in IDP camps, remote villages, and tense frontlines. It is the kind of work that may never trend online—but changes lives offline.
And in moments where many turn away, the ICRC turns up—with food, with medicine, with tracing teams, with quiet courage. As someone who first encountered the Red Cross back in secondary school—as a student club that taught discipline and compassion—
I can say that early exposure planted something in me. A respect for humanity. A reverence for service. Those values never left. Which is why today, I see the ICRC’s work not just as important—but essential.
But to strengthen impact, especially in Nigeria’s media ecosystem, a few things can be done:
1. Amplify Human-Centered Narratives: Work with journalists to document real-life stories of separation, rescue, recovery and reunion. Data matters, but faces tell the fuller story.
2. Communicate in Local Languages: Translate key updates into Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and Pidgin to reach deeper into affected communities.
3. Own the Story Before Misinformation Does: Proactively release verified information during major interventions to counter false narratives.
4. Build a Humanitarian Media Fellowship: Invest in journalists who report from crisis zones—equip them with skills, resources, and ethical guidance.
5. Leverage Trusted Voices: Partner with religious leaders, influencers, and community elders to help amplify and legitimise humanitarian messages.
6. Return to the Classroom: Revive Red Cross clubs in secondary schools. Early engagement builds understanding—and future champions.
The ICRC may not seek attention. But it deserves recognition—not for vanity, but for validation. Because in a world overwhelmed by noise, what they offer is rare: quiet, consistent compassion.
Their visit to PRNigeria was a reminder of what is possible when media and humanity work together—not to sensationalize suffering, but to dignify those who endure it.
In the end, the ICRC is not just delivering aid. They are delivering hope. And perhaps more of us—especially in the media—need to help carry that story forward.
Fatimah Yusuf Usman writes from PRNigeria Centre, Abuja. She can be reached at: [email protected].
