NGOs and humanitarian organisations
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Flip to reveal answersWhat do humanitarian organisations do in conflict?
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All 11 Flashcards — NGOs and humanitarian organisations
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Question
What do humanitarian organisations do in conflict?
Answer
Deliver food, water, shelter and medical care, protect and care for civilians and refugees, monitor the laws of war, and give a voice to victims.
Question
What are the four humanitarian principles?
Answer
Humanity (relieve suffering), neutrality (don't take sides), impartiality (help by need, not side) and independence (free of any warring party).
Question
What does neutrality mean for humanitarian actors?
Answer
Not taking sides in the conflict, so that all warring parties allow them to reach civilians.
Question
What does impartiality mean?
Answer
Helping people based only on need, not on which side they are on.
Question
Why is neutrality important for humanitarian workers?
Answer
It lets them win the trust of all sides, cross front lines to reach civilians, and gives them protection as impartial actors.
Question
What dilemma does neutrality create?
Answer
Staying neutral can mean not naming the side committing atrocities, which can feel like complicity — so access and speaking out can conflict.
Question
How can humanitarian aid unintentionally cause harm?
Answer
Aid can be taxed, stolen or diverted to feed fighters and prolong a war, and its provision can let a government dodge its own responsibilities.
Question
Why do some humanitarian actors choose to speak out?
Answer
Because silence over atrocities can make them complicit, and bearing witness can mobilise pressure to stop the abuses.
Question
Why are humanitarian workers increasingly at risk?
Answer
Because warring parties increasingly disregard neutrality and target aid workers, making humanitarian action dangerous.
Question
Why are humanitarian actors often 'the only ones reaching civilians'?
Answer
Because states and armies frequently do not protect civilians in war, so relief organisations are the main actors delivering aid across front lines.
Question
What is a balanced view of humanitarian action in conflict?
Answer
It does much more good than harm — indispensable, life-saving work — but carries real dilemmas that must be managed rather than ignored.
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Topic 4.2 hub
Actors and parties in conflict
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