Difference between revisions of "Humanitarian NGO Sector"
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NGOs obtain their money from a variety of sources including citizens, institutions such as the World Bank, as well as government and foundation money. In recent years, funding from private sources and corporations has become another option of how NGOs acquire money. One consequence of obtaining funding from private sources is that it may undermine NGOs. The most effective NGOs are careful about how they receive their funding and try to remain independent in that realm. | NGOs obtain their money from a variety of sources including citizens, institutions such as the World Bank, as well as government and foundation money. In recent years, funding from private sources and corporations has become another option of how NGOs acquire money. One consequence of obtaining funding from private sources is that it may undermine NGOs. The most effective NGOs are careful about how they receive their funding and try to remain independent in that realm. | ||
| − | Humanitarian NGOs offer protection by their presence in these areas and help save hundreds of lives. The assistance and protection that NGOs provide do come at a cost, with volunteers and workers risking their lives on a daily basis. Humanitarian NGOs also play a key role in the dissemination of information regarding human rights conditions in third world countries. They “bring back useful information, and make it part of their brief to do so …As the staff of foreign embassies shrink, and the need to keep abreast of events abroad increases, governments inevitably turn to private sources of information. In some benighted parts of the world, sometimes only NGOs can nowadays reveal what is going on” (The Economist 2000). The presence of NGOs in these countries allows them to channel information out regarding the political climate and the treatment of the country’s citizens. One example of this is Amnesty International, which has about one million members in over 162 countries. Amnesty’s campaigns for human rights, against political repression and unfair imprisonment are known around the world. The information it gathers is often unavailable from other sources. | + | Humanitarian NGOs offer protection by their presence in these areas and help save hundreds of lives. The assistance and protection that NGOs provide do come at a cost, with volunteers and workers risking their lives on a daily basis. Humanitarian NGOs also play a key role in the dissemination of information regarding [[Human Rights NGOs|human rights]] conditions in third world countries. They “bring back useful information, and make it part of their brief to do so …As the staff of foreign embassies shrink, and the need to keep abreast of events abroad increases, governments inevitably turn to private sources of information. In some benighted parts of the world, sometimes only NGOs can nowadays reveal what is going on” (The Economist 2000). The presence of NGOs in these countries allows them to channel information out regarding the political climate and the treatment of the country’s citizens. One example of this is Amnesty International, which has about one million members in over 162 countries. Amnesty’s campaigns for human rights, against political repression and unfair imprisonment are known around the world. The information it gathers is often unavailable from other sources. |
One of the main objectives of humanitarian NGOs is to provide humanitarian aid to people afflicted by disasters, including natural disasters such as earthquakes and social disasters such as war. The help and aid provided by NGOs can lessen the effects of such conflicts by providing basic human needs such as food, shelter, clothing, and medical care. Although much good can come from humanitarian aid, this aid can also make a conflict worse. One example is that it can lead to dependency, discouraging people from becoming independent. NGOs must be very careful about how, where, when and what kind of aid is provided. | One of the main objectives of humanitarian NGOs is to provide humanitarian aid to people afflicted by disasters, including natural disasters such as earthquakes and social disasters such as war. The help and aid provided by NGOs can lessen the effects of such conflicts by providing basic human needs such as food, shelter, clothing, and medical care. Although much good can come from humanitarian aid, this aid can also make a conflict worse. One example is that it can lead to dependency, discouraging people from becoming independent. NGOs must be very careful about how, where, when and what kind of aid is provided. | ||
Revision as of 09:37, 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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