To really change the world, we have to help people change the way they see things. Global betterment is a mental process, not one that requires huge sums of money or a high level of authority. Change has to be psychological. So if you want to see real change, stay persistent in educating humanity on how similar we all are than different. Don’t only strive to be the change you want to see in the world, but also help all those around you see the world through commonalities of the heart so that they would want to change with you. This is how humanity will evolve to become better. This is how you can change the world. The language of the heart is mankind’s main common language.
By Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem
Humanitarian aid is designed to save lives and alleviate suffering during and in the immediate aftermath of emergencies, whereas development aid responds to ongoing structural issues, particularly systemic poverty, that may hinder economic, institutional and social development in any given society, and assists in building capacity to ensure resilient communities and sustainable livelihoods. Both humanitarian and development aid are related, and different forms of aid often have both humanitarian and development components.
Humanitarian principles define what humanitarian aid is: delivering life-saving assistance to those in need, without any adverse distinction. They distinguish humanitarian aid from other activities, for example those of political, religious, ideological or military nature. Adherence to the humanitarian principles facilitates access and acceptance, and helps humanitarian workers carry out their work.
According to wikipedia.org, the beginnings of organized international humanitarian aid can be traced to the late 19th century. Early campaigns include British aid to distressed populations on the continent and in Sweden during the Napoleonic Wars, and the international relief campaigns during the Great Irish Famine in the 1840s. Humanitarian aid is material and logistic assistance to people who need help. It is usually short-term help until the long-term help by the government and other institutions replaces it. Among the people in need are the homeless, refugees, and victims of natural disasters, wars, and famines. Humanitarian relief efforts are provided for humanitarian purposes and include natural disasters and man-made disasters. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity. It may, therefore, be distinguished from development aid, which seeks to address the underlying socioeconomic factors which may have led to a crisis or emergency. There is a debate on linking humanitarian aid and development efforts, which was reinforced by the World Humanitarian Summit in 2016. However, the conflation is viewed critically by practitioners. Humanitarian aid is seen as “a fundamental expression of the universal value of solidarity between people and a moral imperative”.Humanitarian aid can come from either local or international communities.
Humanitarian aid is normally funded by donations from individuals, corporations, governments and other organizations. The funding and delivery of humanitarian aid is increasingly international, making it much faster, more responsive, and more effective in coping to major emergencies affecting large numbers of people (e.g. see Central Emergency Response Fund). The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) coordinates the international humanitarian response to a crisis or emergency pursuant to Resolution 46/182 of the United Nations General Assembly. The need for aid is ever-increasing and has long outstripped the financial resources available.
The Central Emergency Response Fund was created at the 2005 Central Emergency Response Fund at the United Nations General Assembly.
Humanitarian aid, implementing and promoting volunteer programs will be a part of the latest trend in establishing an upbeat of the company corporate cultures. Therefore, humanitarian aid and volunteer programs are to be always a part of the company’s corporate social responsibilities or cultures. Understanding the issues of natural disasters and the people always experiencing difficulties after natural disasters, EveningCrest will be continuously committed to provide needs-based humanitarian assistance to the people hit by either man-made or natural disasters with particular attention to the most vulnerable victims. Aid is to be channelled impartially to the affected populations, regardless of their race, ethnic group, religion, gender, age, nationality or political affiliation.
Useful links
5 Ways to help disaster victims
8 Reasons Volunteering Can Boost Your Company Culture
International Responses to the Obstruction of Humanitarian Aid
Natural Disasters, Human Rights, and the Role of National Human Rights Institutions