Humanitarian action encompasses activities undertaken to prevent and alleviate human suffering in situations of crisis, whether caused by armed conflict, natural disasters, or other emergencies. Its primary objectives are to save lives, provide relief to those in need, and safeguard human dignity. Humanitarian action is distinct from development cooperation or political engagement, as it focuses on urgent needs and immediate protection rather than long-term structural change or the pursuit of political objectives.
Humanitarian action is generally understood to comprise three main components:
- humanitarian assistance, which actively provides material relief such as food, shelter, water, sanitation, and health care;
- humanitarian protection, which seeks to ensure the safety, rights, and dignity of affected populations;
- and advocacy, which promotes compliance with international humanitarian law and other relevant standards.
Together, these elements form a comprehensive approach to addressing both the immediate consequences of crises on civilian populations. Humanitarian action is guided by the four core humanitarian principles. Humanitarian action can be carried out by various actors, including international organizations, Red Cross-affiliated organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), governments, community-based organizations and individuals.