DONARE FAQs presents a selection of frequently asked questions about humanitarian actors, naming key players, describing the roles and responsibilities of different organizations and stakeholders, and how humanitarian action is coordinated.
Humanitarian aid plays a crucial role in responding to the urgent needs of people affected by crises, including armed conflicts, natural disasters, and health emergencies. DONARE consists of more than 2,000 pages related to humanitarian action. You can navigate through some of the content using the topics listed below. Learn about organizations, global issues, and initiatives dedicated to alleviating human suffering.
Canada is home to numerous humanitarian organizations that focus on a diverse range of issues, including but not limited to poverty, health, education, human rights, and emergency response. DONARE has selected 18 prominent Canadian humanitarian organizations that respond to humanitarian crises around the world. The nonprofits on this list have a significant impact on humanitarian efforts worldwide. There are many more Canadian non-governmental organizations (NGOs), charities and aid groups working both domestically and internationally to address a wide range of challenges.
Humanitarian aid is a complex and multifaceted field involving a network of a wide range of international, regional and national actors, from international organizations and governments to non-governmental organizations and local partner organizations. Each of these actors has a specific role to play in responding to humanitarian crises, providing relief or supporting humanitarian operations.
The United States is home to a large number of humanitarian organizations that work internationally to deliver much-needed humanitarian assistance overseas. These aid agencies respond to natural disasters, conflicts, and other emergencies, providing food, water, shelter, health care, and other critical support. DONARE has selected 27 well-known and influential humanitarian organizations based in the United States that respond to humanitarian crises around the world. The nonprofits on this list have a significant impact on humanitarian efforts worldwide.
A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a non-profit organization that operates independently from government entities and is driven by a mission to address a particular social, humanitarian, environmental, or developmental issue. NGOs are typically established by individuals or groups of individuals who come together to work towards a common cause and are governed by their own internal structures and regulations.
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.
Get informed, Donate, Give attention - DONARE is an information platform focused on donations, humanitarian aid and humanitarian crises worldwide. On our website you will find the latest humanitarian news, background information on humanitarian work, aid organizations, humanitarian emergencies and details on how you can help, whether as a donor or through other means. DONARE stands by the most vulnerable people.
The United Kingdom offers a diverse landscape of humanitarian organizations, and is home to numerous charities that work on emergency response, poverty, health, education, human rights, and a wide range of other issues. DONARE has selected 25 well-known and influential British humanitarian organizations that respond to humanitarian crises around the world. These charities have a substantial impact on humanitarian efforts worldwide.
Whether you are a member of the public, donor, journalist, researcher, humanitarian professional, or policymaker, the FAQs offer insight into DONARE’s approach, its sources, and the values that shape its work. You will find clear and concise answers to common questions about DONARE — its purpose, scope, and guiding principles. It is intended for anyone seeking to understand what distinguishes DONARE from other platforms and how its resources can be used to support informed engagement with humanitarian issues.
Australia is home to several humanitarian organizations that provide life-saving assistance on the frontlines of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. DONARE has selected thirteen of the largest and most influential non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or aid networks. In addition to these prominent humanitarian organizations, there are many other well-respected charities, relief organizations and aid agencies in Australia that work both locally and internationally. Australians are known as generous donors to international relief efforts and charitable causes.
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.
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 thirteen charity organizations and one alliance that deliver emergency humanitarian aid needed in crises worldwide.
Donations can make a big difference and are desperately needed, but there are many more ways to support humanitarian work and to have an impact. Why not help those in dire need? If you are looking for some ideas, how to support people trapped in humanitarian crises, here they are.
Humanitarian aid and human rights are two concepts that are closely related, yet distinct in their approach to addressing issues of global concern. Both seek to promote the well-being of individuals and communities, but they do so through different means and with different objectives in mind. At their core, humanitarian action and human rights share a common goal of promoting human dignity and alleviating human suffering. At the center of both ideas are humans and the concept of humanity.
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.
The United Nations humanitarian chief has warned that millions of people across the world will die because of a critical crisis in global humanitarian funding. The worsening crisis has been triggered by brutal funding cuts to humanitarian aid by the new United States administration, which took office at the end of January 2025 and has eliminated most American humanitarian funding and is dismantling the world's largest government aid agency.
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.
OCHA is the acronym for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. OCHA coordinates the work of UN agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other national and international actors in humanitarian emergencies. It is the principal international player on humanitarian assistance issues. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is led by the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.
A Refugee Response Plan (RRP) is a comprehensive and coordinated strategy developed by the United Nations, other international organizations, governments and humanitarian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to address the needs of refugees in a specific context or crisis. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) leads the development of Refugee Response Plans.
