Difference between revisions of "Humanitarian NGO Sector"
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| − | Humanitarian [[ | + | Humanitarian [[Overview of NGOs|non-governmental organizations (NGOs)]] are an integral component of international affairs and security, and integral to the functioning of the United Nations and the world at large. Some of the best known NGOs focus on humanitarian issues, such as the International Red Cross, Salvation Army, CARE International, and Oxfam. |
Humanitarian NGOs are mainly concerned with the life and welfare of displaced persons and with the delivery of social services including food delivery, health and mental care, nutrition, and education and training. <membersonly> | Humanitarian NGOs are mainly concerned with the life and welfare of displaced persons and with the delivery of social services including food delivery, health and mental care, nutrition, and education and training. <membersonly> | ||
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Oxfam, a British-based aid agency, has primarily been involved with water and sanitation projects. There have been problems with accessing clean water and electricity, both impacting the sewage treatment. After the attack on the United Nations Baghdad headquarters in August, Oxfam pulled its entire foreign staff out of the country and they now rely on a core team of 50 nationals. | Oxfam, a British-based aid agency, has primarily been involved with water and sanitation projects. There have been problems with accessing clean water and electricity, both impacting the sewage treatment. After the attack on the United Nations Baghdad headquarters in August, Oxfam pulled its entire foreign staff out of the country and they now rely on a core team of 50 nationals. | ||
| − | Save The Children has primarily been involved | + | Save The Children has primarily been involved in assisting Iraqi health and education services. One hundred staff continue to work in the country, including expatriates and Iraqi nationals. Following the attack on the UN, the agency suspended all operations in Baghdad. In order to ensure their safey, their staff had to be scaled down, impacting the efficiency of their work. |
Care International is helping to repair waste and sanitation facilities, as well as assisting with health education. It is one of the few agencies to have increased its presence despite the bomb attack. While other workers have been pulled out of Baghdad, Care International has moved its staff into the capital. | Care International is helping to repair waste and sanitation facilities, as well as assisting with health education. It is one of the few agencies to have increased its presence despite the bomb attack. While other workers have been pulled out of Baghdad, Care International has moved its staff into the capital. | ||
| − | World Food Programme , | + | World Food Programme , a United Nations agency, provides 60% of the Iraqi population (about 16 million people) with food parcels of wheat, flour, sugar, rice, milk powder, tea, detergent, pulses and cooking oil. |
| − | It is challenging for humanitarian NGOs to provide aid and relief efforts when | + | It is challenging for humanitarian NGOs to provide aid and relief efforts when they themselves are also at risk. Iraq is just one conflict zone that has put relief workers at risk the past few years. The current conflict in Darfur is preventing aid and humanitarian NGOs from going there and providing assistance because of the dangers it poses to their relief workers. A recent article from BBC News stated that nearly half a million people in the Darfur region of Sudan have less access to aid because of the increase in violence. Because of this violence, there has been a temporary withdrawal of workers that serve a total of 488,000 people. Those that withdrew humanitarian workers include Oxfam, the International Rescue Committee, Goal, Concern, World Vision, and the Norwegian Refugee Council. They said that violence against humanitarian workers have increased throughout Darfur since the beginning of December. “If the deterioration is allowed to continue, the impact on civilians could be devastating,” says Paul Smith-Lomas, Regional Director for Oxfam. “With new displacements and attacks, the presence of aid agencies is more important than ever. Yet every day brings one huge blow after another to aid efforts,” he adds. |
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| + | Because of the violence and increased conflict in these areas, humanitarian NGOs cannot provide aid, shelter, or food to the people. The violence and terrorism that occur affects the local populations not only because it puts their lives in danger and deteriorates their quality of life, but it prevents them from receiving aid from humanitarian NGOs. As much as the aid workers want to help the victims, when their own lives are put at risk, they have to withdraw until the situation is deemed safe to return. | ||
==Controversy with Humanitarian NGOs== | ==Controversy with Humanitarian NGOs== | ||
| − | + | Recently, non-governmental organizations have come under scrutiny due to issues surrounding the accountability of NGOs. The importance of humanitarian NGOs has increased since World War II and with this increased influence comes more responsibility. NGOs understand they have to live up to certain standards of accountability since it is imperative for them to have public support. If there are allegations of corruption or misuse of funds, it is detrimental not only to the NGO itself, but to all NGOs because they depend on one another to uphold the reputation of NGOs as a whole. | |
| − | Recently, non-governmental organizations have come under scrutiny due to issues surrounding the accountability of NGOs. The importance of humanitarian NGOs has increased since World War II and with this increased influence comes more responsibility. NGOs understand they have to live up to certain standards of accountability | ||
| − | The influence of NGOs has increased in many ways | + | The influence of NGOs has increased in many ways including NGO officials often being cited in the media and corporations consulting with NGOs prior to major investments. The NGO role has expanded and for the most part has been unchecked and unregulated. There have been increasing calls for greater transparency in NGO operations and for the public to become more aware. It is important to understand who funds NGOs, how effective their programs are, what their agendas are, and to whom they are accountable. A few organizations have tackled the issue of accountability within NGOs, including NGO Watch, One World Trust, and Sustainability. Their main objectives are to monitor financial resources, expose bias and report conflicts of interest. . |
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==Conclusion== | ==Conclusion== | ||
| − | Since World War II, humanitarian NGOs have played an important role | + | Since World War II, humanitarian NGOs have played an important role in a world that faces many natural and social disasters. With the significant contribution of humanitarian NGOs, the world is a more protected and cared for place. Although humanitarian NGOs face many challenges including political corruption and terrorism, they must persevere in order to continue to provide aid and relief throughout the world. |
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| − | + | Humanitarian NGOs have been instrumental in alleviating the effects of wars and disasters for the past two centuries. With their growing influence and significance in the world, they have become a ray of hope for displaced people around the world who rely on their aid and support. | |
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 11:19, 6 August 2008
Humanitarian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are an integral component of international affairs and security, and integral to the functioning of the United Nations and the world at large. Some of the best known NGOs focus on humanitarian issues, such as the International Red Cross, Salvation Army, CARE International, and Oxfam.
Humanitarian NGOs are mainly concerned with the life and welfare of displaced persons and with the delivery of social services including food delivery, health and mental care, nutrition, and education and training.
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