Jessica Hyba, Senior External Relations Officer, Mogadishu, UNHCR
Generous, dedicated and utterly committed to helping those in greatest need, Canadian Jessica Hyba, 43, had been working as Senior External Relations Officer with UNHCR in Mogadishu since February.
Seeking an assignment in one of the toughest countries where UNHCR is engaged was typical of Jessica, say colleagues, who remember her energy, tenacity and sheer dedication to helping the most vulnerable.
Assigned to Somalia at a time when the country is striving to overcome nearly three decades of civil war and displacement, Jessica was tasked with managing relationships with donors, reporting the needs and impact of UNHCR’s operations there and encouraging support.
She joined UNHCR in Iraq in 2013, where she gained plaudits for her exceptional contribution to helping Syrian refugees, and internally displaced Iraqis, during an intense period of rolling emergencies. Jessica later moved to UNHCR headquarters in Geneva, where she continued to work on the Middle East and North Africa. She subsequently transferred to human resources, where she is remembered for her conscientiousness, her ability to always see the positive, and for championing interns.
Jessica’s dedication to humanitarian work reached back years. She earned a master’s degree in public policy from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. Prior to joining UNHCR, Jessica had a long and distinguished service with Care Canada, Care International and UNICEF. She leaves behind close family, including two daughters, aged nine and 12, for whom she had immeasurable love.
Friends remember Jessica as a “force of nature, the glue that bonded her friends together and the life and soul of any social gathering.” They list other qualities that included empathy, organizational and leadership skills, a sense of humour and zest for life. They remember how she loved exploring the outdoors with her girls, on nature and camping trips, especially in Canada and France.
Biographical information and photo provided by UNHCR. Photo: © UNHCR/Facebook photo of Jessica Hyba