Our team assistants are not just support staff – they are the foundation of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), providing the structure and reliability that enable the entire organization to thrive.
Today, we meet Luigi Bruno of OCHA Geneva, who shares reflections as he approaches retirement after 34 years of service.
You have been with OCHA for 34 years now. How did it all start?
It began in the 1990s in Pisa, Italy, then a key hub for humanitarian efforts. At the request of the Italian government, the UN set up a relief depot for countries hit by natural disasters. I was one of two local staff hired to support operations – my first UN job, a G-2 position.
Through a series of fortunate events, I built experience with the Department of Humanitarian Affairs in Pisa, working alongside WFP and WHO. When the UN restructured in the 2000s, WFP became the lead agency managing relief goods. By then, I had developed strong connections in Geneva.
So when offered a position in the Logistics Support Unit to continue the project from Geneva – now based in Brindisi – I accepted without hesitation.
It was my first move abroad, with my wife and two children. While I spoke French, they didn’t, but we were committed to adapting. That experience shaped our lives deeply.
What have been the highlights and most challenging aspects of working with OCHA?
The best part was connecting with colleagues in the field. The incredible talent and humanity across OCHA are humbling, and each encounter has taught me something valuable.
Field missions were also incredibly rewarding – seeing firsthand the impact of our work and finding purpose in being part of something bigger.
However, the period that had the greatest impact on me personally was the downsizing just before the COVID-19 pandemic.
My post was abolished, and I was reassigned to Human Resources, an entirely unfamiliar field. But challenges make us stronger and more resilient. Learning something so unfamiliar ultimately re-energized me and restored my confidence.
