Policy Update
Meenu Mohan
With Israeli forces weaponizing starvation and Hamas embedding itself within civilian infrastructure, much ink has been spilled over the geopolitical ramifications and, moreover, over who is in the right. The fact remains that every 10 minutes, a child is killed in Gaza. According to Human Rights Watch, even before the current hostilities, 1.2 million of the 2.2 million people in Gaza faced acute food insecurity, with over 80% reliant on humanitarian aid. At this juncture, on World Humanitarian Day, it is vital to discuss the instrumental work being done by humanitarian workers across conflict zones, from the streets of Haiti to the coasts of Rakhine.
On August 19, 2003, a bombing at Baghdad’s Canal Hotel claimed the lives of 22 humanitarian aid workers, including the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. In response, the United Nations General Assembly established August 19 as World Humanitarian Day (WHD) five years later.
Each year, WHD thematically unites the various partners within the humanitarian sector to promote the survival, well-being, and dignity of those affected by crises, while also emphasizing the safety and security of aid workers. The World Humanitarian Day commemorates the selfless contributions of humanitarian workers who have lost their lives or been injured while carrying out their work. It is also a day to celebrate the spirit of aid workers worldwide who continue to work tirelessly in the most challenging conditions.
The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 58/114 comprehensively defines humanitarian assistance. By reaffirming the principles of neutrality, humanity, independence, and impartiality, this definition frees dimensions of humanitarian action from politico-religious, ideological, and martial affiliations. Its scope remains delivering life-saving assistance to those in need without any adverse distinctions. Providing emergency response, disaster relief, food security, and medical aid in areas plagued by conflicts, epidemics, climate vagaries, and other natural disasters remain ongoing challenges for such bodies.
Evolution
The origins of humanitarian aid can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where communities often rallied to support those affected by calamities. However, the formalized concept of humanitarian aid as we know it today emerged in the 19th century. The Red Cross, founded by Henry Dunant in 1863, was pivotal in establishing principles of impartiality and neutrality in relief work.
The devastating aftermath of World War II accelerated the growth of humanitarian aid. The creation of the United Nations in 1945 marked a turning point. Organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) were established to address specific humanitarian needs. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) was formed to protect and assist refugees, a crisis exacerbated by the war.
The latter half of the 20th century saw a surge in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) dedicated to humanitarian aid. Organizations like Oxfam, Save the Children, and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) emerged to complement the work of UN agencies. These NGOs often operated in regions where government access was limited, providing critical support to vulnerable populations.
Current State of Affairs
Today, humanitarian aid is a complex and multifaceted endeavor. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) plays a central role in coordinating global relief efforts. From the Syrian civil war to the ongoing crisis in Yemen, OCHA works tirelessly to mobilize aid, protect civilians, and advocate for the rights of those affected.
Conflict zones, such as Ukraine, devastated by the ongoing Russian invasion, and South Sudan, plagued by civil war, demand immediate assistance. Millions have been displaced, seeking refuge in neighboring countries or within their own nations. These populations require food, shelter, medical care, and protection from violence.
Natural disasters have also forced millions from their homes. Hurricanes, like those that repeatedly batter the Caribbean and the Gulf Coast of the United States, cause immense damage and require rapid response for search and rescue, shelter, and rebuilding efforts. The 2011 tsunami in Japan highlighted the need for coordinated international aid in the face of such an overwhelming disaster.
Health crises pose significant challenges. The Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014 exposed vulnerabilities in healthcare systems and the importance of rapid response to contain infectious diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic, originating in China in late 2019, became a global health crisis, necessitating the development of vaccines, distribution of medical supplies, and support for healthcare workers worldwide.
Climate change is a humanitarian crisis unfolding in slow motion. Extreme weather events like hurricanes, droughts, and floods are occurring more frequently and with greater intensity, leaving millions homeless and hungry. The thawing permafrost poses the risk of releasing ancient viruses. Rising seas threaten low-lying coastal cities, prompting some countries to consider relocating their capitals, while droughts are fueling conflict and famine in the Sahel. Even as we grapple with these global challenges, we are witnessing firsthand the impact of climate change in our own backyard, as evidenced by the Kerala landslides and Uttarakhand floods. Perhaps this onslaught of calamities has compelled India to enhance its humanitarian efforts, making them faster, more organized, and effective.
Challenges, Controversies and Conspiracies
Delivering humanitarian aid is a perilous endeavor. Aid workers often operate in conflict-ridden minefields of threats like violence, adbuctions, and kidnappings. National staff, who constitute the majority of victims of violence, now face higher attack and fatality rates compared to international staff due to the increased localization of aid in high-risk areas. In 2023, more aid workers died by violence than in any previous year on record, with 280 fatalities reported in 33 countries. More than half of these deaths were those killed in the first three months of the conflict in Gaza, mostly as a result of airstrikes.
Source: Humanitarian Outcomes.(July 2024). Figures at a Glance.
According to Humanitarian Outcomes (July 2024), male aid workers are three to six times more likely to be attacked than females, but sexual violence predominantly affects women. The underreporting of sexual violence, with only 29 recorded cases in 2018 as per the Aid Worker Security Report of 2019, highlights the weak data on gender-differentiated risks.
The stigma surrounding sexual violence, coupled with internal organizational dynamics, complicates risk management and may foster a culture permissive of misconduct. To mitigate this, organizations must enhance risk awareness, support victims, and actively remove reporting barriers. Mazurana and Donnelly (2017) point to ‘macho environments’ where male-dominated spaces and decision-making create conditions conducive to harassment and assault. Their study also hints at risks of substance-abuse due to the mental toll experienced by aid workers.
Current security training deployed for aid workers in high-risk areas remain inadequate at best. At worst, the training event itself is traumatic. The United States’ Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT), conducted traditionally in small-groups in-person has its roots in military training. It tends to reflect the dominant white, Western, male, and ex-military perspectives, and not the diversity of aid workers, the type of work they do, the changes with the times, or the most common risks they face. Logistical hurdles, including poor infrastructure and supply chain disruptions compound the challenges. Sovereignty of nations gets questioned in the process. Moreover, the fight for limited funding and the risk of aid misallocation further hinder effective relief efforts.
In February 2024, the World Food Programme made headlines when it was forced to suspend the delivery of life-saving food and other essential supplies to northern Gaza. Convoys faced a perilous environment marked by violence and chaos, a direct consequence of decades of escalating tensions. The looming threat of starvation cast a long shadow over the region.
Nearly 250 aid workers have lost their lives in operations since the fateful October 7th attack. Beyond the physical dangers, these individuals also brave profound psychological trauma when confronted with the worst of humanity. While the logistical and safety challenges of delivering humanitarian aid are daunting, they are further complicated by emerging controversies and conspiracy theories that threaten to erode public trust in humanitarian organizations.
The recent allegations against United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) have cast a long shadow over the humanitarian sector. If proven true, these claims would seriously undermine public trust in humanitarian organizations. The implications extend beyond UNRWA, as it could deter potential donors and hinder future humanitarian efforts globally. Such accusations create a toxic environment where humanitarian workers are increasingly scrutinized and their credibility questioned, potentially jeopardizing the lives of millions reliant on aid.
Humanitarian aid, meant to be neutral and impartial, is often manipulated for political gain, with countries leveraging it as a diplomatic tool to exert influence or achieve strategic objectives. This politicization leads to selective aid distribution, where assistance is given or withheld based on political or military agendas, exacerbating inequalities and fueling tensions. In some cases, aid missions serve as a pretext for military operations or intelligence gathering, undermining the trust and neutrality essential for effective aid delivery. Ultimately, this intertwining of aid with political agendas compromises the integrity of humanitarian efforts and risks the safety of both aid workers and the populations they serve.
Aids play a significant role in geopolitics, often serving as a tool for countries to extend their influence and shape international relations. While aid is intended to address crises and alleviate suffering, it can also be used strategically to gain political leverage, strengthen alliances, or sway public opinion in recipient nations. The distribution and withholding of aid can reinforce power dynamics, creating dependencies that can be exploited to achieve foreign policy goals. This geopolitical impact of aid can deepen existing conflicts, fuel corruption, and perpetuate inequalities, making it a double-edged sword in the global arena.
“To suffer woes which Hope thinks infinite”
While innovations in the humanitarian sector pale in comparison with the more money-minting counterparts, they are worth mentioning. A literature review by Bruder and Baar on ‘Innovation in Humanitarian Assistance’ has compiled a framework for improving the situation of first-responders and humanitarian workers in conflict-ridden areas. It suggests a Humanitarian-Development nexus, a call-for-action to switch from ex-post facto and reactionary relief operations to an interconnected paradigm of humanitarian action, development assistance, stabilization, peacebuilding, and conflict prevention. Research has shown that this approach reduces costs and bias, and is also far more appropriate.
Triggering the participation of beneficiaries, i.e. including affected persons, makes identifying the problems easier. Providing inputs and feedbacks on field operations led to promotion of the same. Inclusion of socially marginalized groups fosters local training, practical solutions, and talent development. While innovations tend to receive initial funding pushes, a lack of follow-through is concerning. Funding and partnerships must recognise culture, context, and social norms. Collaboration of practitioners, donors, intermediaries, and private sector with an emphasis on technological penetration goes a long way.
Publicly available online security training resources such as UN’s BSAFE and IFRC’s Stay Safe have branched into different thematic areas, modalities, and types of providers, both in-house and externally sourced. A growing number of e-learning platforms, such as DisasterReady and Kaya host several free security-related courses, including training on travel safety, kidnapping and hostage survival, LGBTQIA safety and security awareness, personal safety and security certificate programme developed in collaboration with Save the Children, and road traffic safety. These are available in multiple languages.
World Humanitarian Day serves as a poignant reminder of the unwavering spirit of those who dedicate their lives to alleviating suffering. Yet, the challenges they face are immense. From the complexities of operating in conflict zones to the increasing frequency of natural disasters, the humanitarian landscape is fraught with obstacles. The erosion of trust in aid organizations, exacerbated by allegations and the politicization of humanitarian crises, further complicates the situation.
It is imperative to recognize the invaluable contributions of humanitarian workers and to support their efforts. By fostering a culture of empathy, solidarity, and accountability, we can create a world where aid is delivered effectively, impartially, and without fear. The pursuit of peace and stability is essential to creating an environment where humanitarian assistance can thrive and save lives. Ultimately, the protection of human life and dignity should transcend geo-political boundaries.
References
- Nichols, M. (2023, November 11). A child killed on average every 10 minutes in Gaza, says WHO chief. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/child-killed-average-every-10-minutes-gaza-says-who-chief-2023-11-10/
- Human Rights Watch. (2023, December 18). Israel: Starvation Used as Weapon of War in Gaza | Human Rights Watch. Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/12/18/israel-starvation-used-weapon-war-gaza
- Nations, U. (n.d.). World Humanitarian Day. United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/observances/humanitarian-day
- The beginning of the Red Cross. (n.d.). British Red Cross. https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/our-history/the-beginning-of-the-red-cross#:~:text=Origins%20of%20the%20Red%20Cross%20Movement&text=The%20International%20Red%20Cross%20and
- Nations, U. (n.d.). Deliver Humanitarian Aid. United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/our-work/deliver-humanitarian-aid#:~:text=OCHA%20and%20the%20UN%20System&text=The%20Office%20for%20the%20Coordination
- UN Food Agency pauses deliveries to the North of Gaza | World Food Programme. (2024, February 20). Www.wfp.org. https://www.wfp.org/news/un-food-agency-pauses-deliveries-north-gaza
- Stoddard, A., Harvey, P., Czwarno, M., & Breckenridge, M. (2019). Aid worker security report 2019: Speakable – Addressing sexual violence and gender-based risk in humanitarian aid. Humanitarian Outcomes. https://humanitarianoutcomes.org/sites/default/files/publications/awsr_2019_0.pdf
- Mazurana, Dyan & Donnelly, Phoebe. (2017). STOP the Sexual Assault against Humanitarian and Development Aid Workers a report.
- Humanitarian Outcomes.(2024). Figures at a Glance. July, https://www.humanitarianoutcomes.org/figures_at_a_glance_2024
- Humanitarian Outcomes. (2023). Aid Worker Security Report 2023. Security training in the humanitarian sector: Issues of equity and effectiveness. https://www.humanitarianoutcomes.org/AWSR_2023
- Bruder, M., & Baar, T. (2024). Innovation in humanitarian assistance—a systematic literature review. International Journal of Humanitarian Action, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41018-023-00144-3
About the Contributor – Meenu Mohan is a Research Intern at the Impact and Policy Research Institute, and holds a BSMS Degree in Mathematics from IISER, Bhopal. Her research interests include Data Analytics, Foreign Policy and Geopolitics, and Conflict Resolution.
Acknowledgment – The author extends sincere thanks to Dr. Arjun Kumar for the invaluable opportunity, and to Sarah Ansari and Sana Ansari for their informative inputs.
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