Merisphere Documentary Fund

Humanitarian aid

Humanitarian aid seeks to protect life, health and human dignity during wars, natural disasters, forced displacement, epidemics, food crises and other emergencies.

Its immediate purpose distinguishes it from development aid. It first addresses urgent needs: food, safe water, shelter, medical care, sanitation and protection.

Four principles

Humanitarian action is generally organised around four principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.

Humanity requires action to prevent and relieve suffering and to protect life and dignity. Neutrality means humanitarian actors must not take sides in hostilities or political, religious or ideological controversies. Impartiality requires assistance to be provided according to need, without discrimination. Independence requires humanitarian objectives to remain distinct from the political, military, economic or other objectives of actors involved in a crisis.

These principles are especially important when access to populations depends on the trust of opposing parties.

Emergency and duration

Humanitarian aid is associated with emergencies, but many crises last for years.

Refugees may remain outside their country for a long time. Displaced people may be unable to return home. Food insecurity may recur year after year. Health systems weakened by conflict may depend on external support long after the initial emergency.

The boundary between humanitarian action and development policy can therefore become less clear when a crisis is prolonged.

Funding

A large share of international humanitarian aid depends on voluntary contributions from governments and other donors.

Resources can therefore vary sharply from one year to another and from one crisis to another.

When funding falls while needs remain high, humanitarian organisations may have to reduce food rations, medical services, shelter programmes or the number of people assisted.