Maryam Atiku: Youth Leadership in Emergencies
The early hours of September 10, 2024, were unlike any other in Maiduguiri. Heavy rains had hit the city, with no one anticipating the destruction that would follow. By dawn, the Ngadda River had overflowed, submerging the entire neighborhood. Families were left scrambling for higher ground. Over 10,000 people were displaced in mere hours, and the scale of destruction left the city in shock. Among those affected by the flood was Maryam Atiku, a young humanitarian, ready to act for her neighbourhood.
For Maryam Atiku growing up in Maiduguri, in the early 2000s was a peace-loving experience, the beauty and serene feeling of the world around her was so captivating, however, the turning point for her came in 2009 during Boko haram it was heartbreaking to see how the unpredictable shift could turn her community into a turbulent place, thousands if not millions of people lost their lives and livelihood leaving a lot of people vulnerable.
These incidents became an inspiration to Maryam to go into the humanitarian field, so as to help others in times of need and emergencies. Filled with concern about the proacted conflict which had raged for 15 years and the desire to make an impact she began Green Action for Women and Girls (GAWGI) to promote and restore sustainable eco system to combat climate change, its impact, human rights, gender equality and education.
In August 2024, Maryam story further changed when she was selected as a participant in the Youth Leadership in Emergencies programme organised by the Global Platform Nigeria. Throughout the programme, she learnt about the history of humanitarian crises, gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges faced in emergencies. She learnt about critical frameworks like Human Right Based Approached (HRBA) and AA’s Humanitarian Programme Cycle, while also learning about the empowering Feminist Leadership lens. These sessions expanded her knowledge and also strengthened her passion for leadership and collective action in times of crisis. Emphasis on the urgent need for young people to take the lead during emergencies highlighted the power of collective action with other young people. These lessons empowered and prepared her for emergencies.
On Tuesday 10 September 2024, Maiduguri city residents woke up to an unparalleled natural disaster an overflow of the Ngadda River and heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in Maiduguri, displacing over 400, 000 people and leaving them without access to necessities. Maryam with other participants at the training acted swiftly to respond to the crisis. Through GAWGI, Maryam was able to mobilise resources and with the support of other youth they carried out a wet feeding program supporting flood survivors and displaced persons in IDP camps. Through their response they supported at Yerwa camp, Jajeri camp, Muna 505 camp, Mechanical workshop, Mai malari camp, Bulunkuti camp in Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria.
It was during this time that she saw firsthand the impact of climate change and its long-term effects on communities like hers. She realised that the changes she was witnessing weren't just local, but part of a larger global issue. What struck her most was how those most affected were often the least responsible for the problem women, children and other indigenous people, and vulnerable communities with no voice in policy decisions.
“I gained valuable knowledge and skills during the training” she said , and this led to her team conducting rapid assessments to identify and map out affected areas and and opulations, an action the never took in the past. Through their efforts, they provided a mail daily to over 2,000 people residing in the camps, distributed food packets to 2,000 households, and supplied dignity and sanitary kits to women and girls. https://www.instagram.com/p/C_7_1edIPdR/?igsh=NDNsdnpwbXpqZGVm https://www.instagram.com/p/DABJ0s9o9wN/?igsh=MTUyenpiZ2Q5NWtzag==
‘’Alone, I doubt I could have responded or reached so many people,’ Maryam reflected. ‘Working collectively with other vibrant young people made it so much easier, and we kept motivating each other.’’ Looking back, Maryam felt more resolved than ever that young people have what it takes to lead and make a difference. However, she remains committed to the ongoing struggle to ensure peace returns to her community and to work toward restoring the earth Moreover, she became inspired to speak out, not only to raise awareness but also to advocate for systemic changes that would help protect vulnerable communities from the effects of climate change. She decided to pursue gender equality and climate activism, hoping to bring a voice to those who were being left behind in the conversation. Her goal has always been to bridge the gap between science, policy, and the people most affected by climate issues, empowering communities to fight for their rights to a healthier and more sustainable future and ensure female involvement, including Indigenous women and grassroots groups, in climate change negotiations and resource management.
Maryam's journey shows the power of youth-driven response in the power of young people working together in a humanitarian context in addition her experience underscores the crucial role that young people, especially women, can play in responding to emergencies and advocating for climate change mitigation. Maryam Atiku’s story is a testament to the strength of collective action and youth leadership in overcoming adversity and driving positive change.
