Difference between revisions of "Humanitarian NGO Sector"
From NGO Handbook
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==Humanitarian NGOs and Terrorism== | ==Humanitarian NGOs and Terrorism== | ||
| − | A challenge that NGOs face is the ongoing global campaign against terrorism. Humanitarian NGOs have | + | A challenge that NGOs face is the ongoing global campaign against terrorism. Humanitarian NGOs have had difficulty adopting an approach to terrorism. They want to denounce the campaign against terrorism and its dire consequences, while getting ready to work in the countries in conflict. |
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) demands that humanitarian organizations adhere to their political principles against terrorism. The anti-terrorist campaign affects humanitarian NGOs because it decides which countries should receive humanitarian aid. Politics plays an integral role regarding the decisions humanitarian NGOs have to make. There are countries that are allies and foes of the United States, making it difficult for NGOs to have the opportunity to assist all people who are in need of assistance. | The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) demands that humanitarian organizations adhere to their political principles against terrorism. The anti-terrorist campaign affects humanitarian NGOs because it decides which countries should receive humanitarian aid. Politics plays an integral role regarding the decisions humanitarian NGOs have to make. There are countries that are allies and foes of the United States, making it difficult for NGOs to have the opportunity to assist all people who are in need of assistance. | ||
| − | ===Examples of How Terrorism/Violence Affects Humanitarian NGOs=== | + | ===Examples of How Terrorism/Violence Affects Humanitarian NGOs=== |
| + | Humanitarian NGOs are an integral component during social disasters, such as war. While these NGOs try to bring good to certain countries, they are also targeted. For example, the Red Cross was deliberately targeted in a bomb attack in Baghdad in 2003. That bomb attack prompted many aid agencies operating in Iraq to re-evaluate their presence. Five humanitarian NGOs in particular were affected by this event while providing humanitarian assistance in Iraq at the same time. Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam, Save the Children, Care International, and the World Food Program are all humanitarian NGOs that sent teams and volunteers to Iraq. However, they were also put at risk while operating there. | ||
| − | Doctors Without Borders has been working to provide medical assistance to hospitals in Iraq. The war disrupted the distribution of basic medical supplies, while many hospitals lost key equipment in the looting that took place after the war. Following the bomb attacks, DWB reduced its team of seven who worked in Baghdad. Those taken off their assignment were sent to Jordan and waited until it was safe to return. | + | Doctors Without Borders has been working to provide medical assistance to hospitals in Iraq. The war disrupted the distribution of basic medical supplies, while many hospitals lost key equipment in the looting that took place after the war. Following the bomb attacks, DWB reduced its team of seven who worked in Baghdad. Those taken off their assignment were sent to Jordan and waited there until it was safe to return. |
| − | Oxfam, a British-based aid agency, has primarily been involved with water and sanitation projects. There have been problems with accessing clean water and | + | 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 with assisting Iraqi health and education services. One hundred staff continues 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. | Save The Children has primarily been involved with assisting Iraqi health and education services. One hundred staff continues 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. | ||
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It is challenging for humanitarian NGOs to provide aid and relief efforts when it puts their own selves 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 to go to Darfur and provide aid because of the dangers it poses to the relief workers. In a recent article from BBC News, it 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. 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 occurs affects the local populations not only because it puts their lives in danger and deteriorates their quality of life, but it also 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. | It is challenging for humanitarian NGOs to provide aid and relief efforts when it puts their own selves 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 to go to Darfur and provide aid because of the dangers it poses to the relief workers. In a recent article from BBC News, it 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. 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 occurs affects the local populations not only because it puts their lives in danger and deteriorates their quality of life, but it also 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. | ||
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==Controversy with Humanitarian NGOs== | ==Controversy with Humanitarian NGOs== | ||
===Accountability=== | ===Accountability=== | ||
Revision as of 08:55, 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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