Manchester-based humanitarian organisations recently came together to showcase the global impact of their work and advocate for the protection of civilians affected by conflict and crisis.
Hosted at the University of Manchester’s Alexander Building, the event brought together MAG, Action for Humanity, Hope for Justice, the Omega Research Foundation, UK-Med, the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute (HCRI), alongside diplomats, academics, and leaders from across sectors. It offered a platform to highlight the collective reach of Manchester’s humanitarian sector, which has supported more than 6.5 million people in the past year alone through landmine clearance, emergency medical aid, disaster preparedness, peacebuilding, and more.
Hannah Gladstone, Head of Communications, UK Med
Opening the evening, MAG CEO Darren Cormack reflected on Manchester’s unique role in global humanitarianism: “This room is full of people who embody the best of this city: Manchester’s openness, its solidarity, its generosity of spirit – and, not least, its determination to change the world for the better.”
The evening included powerful speeches from the University’s President and Vice Chancellor, the CEO of Action for Humanity, and MAG’s Nika Kokareva, demining team leader in Ukraine. Nika delivered a first-hand account of the situation on the ground and the scale of humanitarian need caused by the ongoing war, particularly the threat posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance to families and farmers.
“I have seen with my own eyes the deadly and devastating effects a landmine has on a human being. I have witnessed the trauma experienced by those injured and the fear faced by families living with this reality.
“This is what war does to ordinary people. Families are torn apart; lives and livelihoods are lost. They face countless risks every day.”
Action for Humanity CEO Othman Moqbel and MAG CEO Darren Cormack
The event served as a timely reminder of Manchester’s deep-rooted legacy of social justice and global solidarity. While MAG and its partners operate in diverse contexts and specialise in different areas, the values driving their missions – dignity, justice, and hope – are shaped by the spirit of this city.
In a world facing increasing humanitarian challenges, the need for sustained partnership, collaboration, and funding has never been greater.
The Global Manchester event demonstrated what is possible when organisations, institutions, and communities come together in common cause – and why continued, united action is vital to creating a safer, fairer world.
Watch a short video about the Global Manchester charities:
Header image: MAG Ukraine Team Leader Nika Kokareva
All images by Orla Holohan
