Impact of War and Power of Hope | Photo © War Child Canada
By Raye Mocioiu
In war zones across the globe, on-the-ground humanitarian assistance is often short-lived. When media attention moves elsewhere, so too does the support. But that’s not the case for War Child (WarChildUSA.org) and founder Dr. Samantha Nutt. War Child’s programs don’t move on when the headlines do.
A trailblazer in humanitarianism, Dr. Nutt is the founder and president of War Child Canada and War Child USA, organizations that have impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of children and families each year in some of the world’s most volatile regions.
For over 20 years, Dr. Nutt has been a lifeline for families caught in conflict, fighting to meet their urgent needs, restore their dignity, and rebuild their futures. From Iraq to Darfur, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to Afghanistan, War Child has been on a mission to change lives and bring hope to families whose lives have been shattered by war.
On June 14th, Dr. Samantha Nutt was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame, and true to her history, she plans to use the honor to draw attention to the millions of children still caught in crisis and to the urgent work that continues through War Child.
“These are exceedingly difficult times,” explained Dr. Nutt. “One-fifth of all children in the world, 473 million, live in conflict zones. More than 115 million people have been forcibly displaced from their homes, most of them women and children. And yet they are being asked to rebuild their lives with minimal support and constant threats to their safety.”
The Impact of War and the Power of Education
“Education, hard skills, the capacity to keep earning—none of those things, once acquired, can be lost to war. Those are forever,” Dr. Nutt continued.
What makes War Child’s approach different is that it is collaborative and holistic. They work from an understanding that those within communities are best suited to lead them and help empower them to do that. Community-led solutions, after all, must come from within the community in order to be sustainable, which is why 99 percent of War Child’s staff around the world are hired locally. This method bridges the gap between short-term aid and long-term development, breaking the cycles of poverty and violence that fuel conflict.
At a time when foreign aid is being slashed, including recent cuts to U.S. foreign assistance, organizations like War Child are more vital than ever. “Humanitarian aid is not charity,” said Dr. Nutt. “It is a necessary investment in a more peaceful, stable world. It’s about the kind of future we want to build—for everyone.”
While the headlines may shift, War Child’s work continues. The organization provides education, legal aid, economic support, and psychological care long after the emergency response ends, helping communities to rebuild from the ground up. Dr. Nutt explains that awards and recognition like Canada’s Walk of Fame can act as a megaphone to amplify this work so that more people can get involved.
“It opens doors to media coverage, donor engagement, and conversations that help shine a light on the children and families who are often forgotten,” she shared. “I don’t see this as a tribute to me. I see it as an opportunity to elevate the mission and the resilience of the people we serve.”
Dr. Nutt urges everyday people to be part of the solution, whether through monthly donations, raising awareness, or organizing fundraisers—every action counts.
“Even small, regular donations help us plan and scale our operations in the regions that need us most,” she said. “It’s not about how much you give, it’s about showing up consistently for people who have lost everything.”
