MAURITANIA, Aug. 25 -- EVERY year on 19 August, the world celebrates World Humanitarian Day to honour the women and men who, often in difficult conditions, devote their lives to helping others.

This years theme, “Strengthening global solidarity and empowering local communities,” focused on recognising the critical role of local actors in humanitarian response.

Abidine Ould Sidewa, a nurse at Mbera refugee camp in Mauritania, describes his contribution in protecting the vulnerable and providing for people in need of humanitarian assistance.

1. What led you to be involved in humanitarian work? What is your role at the Mberra camp triage centre?

I started as a trader in Timbuktu (in Mali), but it was when I discovered communi...