I have worked for REACH in Jordan, Iraq and the Central African Republic (CAR). In each of these places, my abilities and knowledge was tried, tested and cultivated. No day was spent without learning and growing. There is no shallow end with REACH, but that is what makes working for it such a unique, dynamic and challenging experience.

Over the years REACH’s presence worldwide has exploded, and there are opportunities to work in both development and emergency contexts. I have worked in two Level 3 emergencies, something I never thought I would be given the opportunity to do. Better yet, I was not tied down to a desk the whole time. Alongside our national assessment staff, I was on the ground in refugee camps, informal settlements and host communities speaking directly with affected populations.

Perhaps the most rewarding part about working with REACH is knowing that the information collected has a real and immediate impact. In Iraq for example, 24 hours after completing a rapid assessment of 200 refugees staying in a school, water and fans were delivered, meeting exactly the needs identified during the assessment.

Whether I am working with a team of national staff conducting rapid assessments, communicating with country teams across the Middle East region to develop data collection tools, or liaising with the Global GIS team to develop innovative maps and tools for analysis, with REACH you are never alone and you are never bored. Its essence is based on collaboration, not only internally but also externally. Information sharing and interacting with the rest of the humanitarian community around is essential for the REACH initiative to work. That is how we are able to support a better informed humanitarian response.

I have recently finished my work in the Central African Republic, and I am excited to see what REACH has in store for me next, you can never quite predict it!