Niger Laouali Maïkaka Abdoulaziz
Saving lives – humanity takes root in you.
Laouali grew up in Arlit, a town in northern Niger known as the uranium capital of Africa. He started humanitarian work in 2014 as a volunteer with the Nigerian Red Cross, where he provided first aid and supported the Restoring Family Links (RFL) programme, which helps reconnect families separated by conflict or displacement.
His experience led him to work with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and eventually with CTG as a Community Mobiliser, continuing his service on the front lines of humanitarian response.
Working in the community
What does a day at work look like for Laouali? His tasks include awareness raising, identifying vulnerable cases, providing guidance and referrals, offering psychosocial support and assisting operations. He also carries out search and rescue missions and escorts beneficiaries to other centres or their country of origin.
Laouali doesn’t shy away from the emotional toll of the job. His work is full of what he describes as “pity, sadness, emotion… many things.”
Laouali’s ability to manage these emotions in tricky situations is evident in a memory he shared of a 2017 rescue mission. His team faced a mechanical breakdown in the middle of the desert, without food or water: “At that moment, I felt guilt, fear – fear of everything. But thanks to God Almighty, and the training and experience I had, I remembered the importance of group travel (staying calm, not panicking, everyone’s ideas matter). We arrived at our destination late that night.”
Communication risks are also a day-to-day challenge, but he manages this by being careful to use simple, clear language. “Sometimes you need to improvise while being aware of professional risks,” he shares. “Always prioritise the organisation and following the instructions it gives.”
Outside of work, Laouali keeps busy with a mix of technical hobbies. He’s passionate about satellite installations, operating systems, and anything IT-related. He also invests in online learning, listens to music, reads, and plays sports.
In service of humanity
For Laouali, the motivation is simple but profound: “Saving lives – humanity takes root in you.” His commitment is not just professional, it’s deeply personal.
His advice to others who want to follow in his footsteps is grounded and practical: “Be patient, tolerant, and, above all, vigilant. Be a team player. Follow the organisation’s code of conduct and humanitarian principles. And be very cautious of abuse, especially abuse of power and sexual misconduct.”
Read more stories from the field here.
