Many people dream of working in humanitarian aid or are already active in humanitarian affairs and want to find a new career. Even those starting out in the field have a variety of career opportunities. Remember that humanitarian work is both rewarding and demanding. It is important that you approach humanitarian jobs with a sincere desire to make a positive impact on vulnerable communities.Â
Who is the world's largest humanitarian donor? From year to year, the figures vary on how much money governments and supranational organizations contribute to emergency humanitarian aid worldwide. One country is contributing much more, while other governments keep a low profile. But there are also some stable trends over several years. Different calculations lead to slightly diverging results. DONARE's rankings are based on financial data provided by the United Nations.
Human rights and humanitarian aid are closely intertwined. In humanitarian crises around the world the most basic human rights are threatened: the right to live, the right to health. More often than not human rights violations are the cause of a crisis or at the center of it. Humanitarian organizations also must respect the rights of people in need and must pay attention to them in the provision of emergency relief.Â
The climate crisis - one of the greatest challenges of our time - is already having a devastating impact on people and ecosystems and fueling hunger and conflict in the world's worst crisis hotspots. The effects of climate change will intensify in the coming years, leading to a further increase in humanitarian emergencies.
Tired of donating? No money to give? Several humanitarian aid organizations allow you to set up and run your own fundraiser for a specific occasion or on a topic of your own choosing. A distinction must be made between traditional fundraising campaigns, for example as part of an event, and online fundraising campaigns. Many non-governmental organizations offer both.Â
Faith-based organizations, particularly Christian charities, play a significant role in providing humanitarian assistance around the world. If you prefer donating to a faith-based organization as opposed to a secular humanitarian organization, DONARE has selected eleven charity organizations that deliver emergency humanitarian aid needed in crises worldwide.
Millions of children are threatened by humanitarian crises around the world. Many are at the center of wars, armed conflicts, persecution, natural disasters, and other complex crises. Children pay a high price for humanitarian crises. They have often experienced or witnessed acts of violence and are at risk of neglect, violence, abuse, exploitation, human trafficking, or military recruitment. Children's rights are under threat all over the world.Â
Medical humanitarian assistance and health services support are urgently needed in crisis around the world. Some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) specialize in providing health care in humanitarian crises or the urgent provision of medicines to people affected by conflicts and disasters. DONARE has selected five NGOs that - with different focuses - provide emergency medical aid in humanitarian crises globally: Médecins Sans Frontières, Médecins du monde, International Medical Corps, Direct Relief and MAP International.
There are several ways to start an official or private petition. Or you can find one you want to support and sign it. Your options depend in part on where you live. In the United Kingdom, Germany, and the European Union, rules exist for official petitions to parliaments, and a public infrastructure allows petitions to be easily submitted and signed electronically; in the United States, however, these requirements are lacking. Please note: Unofficial petitions have no legal binding force and are often not addressed to parliaments or their petitions committees.
Do you want to make a direct connection with a country and a young person? Individual charities facilitate child sponsorship around the world. Child sponsorships are programs that match children in need and suffering with sponsors around the world. However, child sponsorships do not usually count as emergency aid and are not offered so much for countries with an acute emergency situation, but are more a form of cooperation for sustainable development.
Those who want to learn more about humanitarian work around the world can take a look at websites that are mainly used by professionals. DONARE has compiled an overview of internet sites and digital services aimed at experts and insiders in the field of humanitarian aid. Some of the humanitarian information services can also be helpful for journalists researching crisis situations.Â
Vulnerable groups in humanitarian crises may include women and girls, children, refugees and displaced persons, LGBTI people, elderly people, people with disabilities, people with acute or chronic diseases, religious or ethnic minorities, and indigenous peoples. These populations may face additional risks and challenges during crisis situations, and may require targeted assistance and support to address their specific needs. Humanitarian emergencies can exacerbate the existing vulnerabilities of these groups.
Hold your government and politicians accountable to aid pledges and political promises by writing letters to your local Member of Parliament or parliamentary representative. Use your voice to urge government leaders to make international humanitarian assistance and the resolution of violent conflicts their top priority. DONARE has compiled some information for you on how to contact your representative or senator in the Unites States, your local MP in the United Kingdom or the Members of European Parliament (MEPs) in your country.