History of Humanitarian Action Report
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Added on 2020-01-07
History of Humanitarian Action Report
Added on 2020-01-07
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Historical - “Discuss the extent to which visionary individuals have shaped the history of humanitarian action.”Questions
Historical - “Discuss the extent to which visionary individuals have shaped the history of humanitarian action.”IntroductionThere is no single visionary individual or simple history of humanitarianism orconstruction of a system to make that notion a reality. There are many standard and manyvisionary individuals to be followed, strands now woven together to form the system werecognize. Understanding the history of visionary humanitarian individual’s action helpsunderstand why it is the way it is today, and help identify how it can, and maybe shouldchange in the future. It shows us that apparently inseparable alliances are in reality temporaryconveniences, and it shows, particularly when we look at humanitarianism, that visionaryindividuals can make a difference1. The early history of humanitarianism and some of this precursors in the form ofcharitable imperatives and actions of major religions and cultures that have helped shapetoday humanitarian system.Many literature described the history of humanitarian action forwar victims, history of disaster response for victims of natural disaster. So, manyorganization e.g. International Red Cross, United Nations, UNHCR, NGO Oxfam, careworld vision etc. However, this essay will discuss the extent to which visionary individualshave shaped the history of humanitarian action in various humanitarian situations governedby the Principals of – Independence, humanity, impartiality and universality. The principle ofimpartiality demands ‘no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class orpolitical opinions. It endeavor’s only to relieve suffering, giving priority to the most urgentcases of distress’The principle of neutrality insists that the Red Cross ‘may not take sides in hostilitiesor engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature’.The principle of independence seeks to protect against any intrusion of politics into thesphere of action. Humanitarian principles belong to all peoples’; in this light, ‘humanitarian’is supposedly universally accepted as a ‘good’2.Picket states that the principle of humanity isto ‘protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being’, and to promote ‘mutualunderstanding, friendship, co-operation and lasting peace amongst all peoples’. “Humanity is1Malhotra A, Mather M. Do schooling and work empower women in developing countries? Gender and domestic decisions in Sri Lanka. In Sociological forum 2007 Dec 1 (Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 599-630). Springer Netherlands.2Pitt, M.M., Khandker, S.R. and Cartwright, J., 2013. Does micro-credit empower women? Evidence from Bangladesh.Ball T, Farr J, Hanson RL. Political innovation and conceptual change. Cambridge UniversityPress; 2009 Apr 28.
Historical - “Discuss the extent to which visionary individuals have shaped the history of humanitarian action.”not simply a matter of material existence, but extends to encompass ‘life, liberty andhappiness. Some visionaries who have shaped humanitarian action are Mother Teresa, NelsonMandela, Martin Luther King, Prince Sadr Uddin Aga Khan and Enema Namadu. Mother Teresa – Was a Roman Catholic Nun who founded the missionaries of charity and isknown for her humanitarian work3. She was known for her love for embracing the poorest ofthe poor. She devoted her life to serving and caring for the unloved, unwanted and uncaredfor. Her chief aim was to distribute the joy of love as every individual deserved to live withdignity and therefore was called Mother for her all-encompassing compassion and love forthe poor and needy and in general all of mankind. The humanitarian work of great humanitarian Mother Teresa is critically evaluated onthe basis of four humanitarian principles. These principles govern humanitarian aid. Firstprinciple humanity refers to provide helping hand to needy and respecting need of all humanbeings. Mother Teresa was a great humanitarian who spent her whole life in uplifting andcarrying those who were dying or sick4. Her mission was not only to serve the poorest of thepoor but also to live amongst them and like them. She believed that every human being isimportant and beautiful. She tried throughout her life to make the living and death of peoplemore peaceful and full of love. Almost every needy was cared and assisted by her in everymanner she could. Many humanitarian works were done by Mother Teresa which changed the shape ofhistory of humanitarian work. She did not just build homes for poor, orphans, and peoplesuffering from life threatening disease but she also risked her life for those. She saved 37children that were struggling for their lives and negotiated suspension fight between Israeliarmy and Palestinian guerrillas. There are many such examples where Mother Teresa riskedher life to save children such as she went to unsafe places, war places just to save youngchildren out of demolished hospital5.Neutrality principle lead responsibility of the leader who does not involved in any kind oforganizations that support particular political, religious or ideological bent. When we are3Collinson S, editor. Power, livelihoods and conflict: case studies in political economy analysis for humanitarian action. Humanitarian Policy Group, Overseas Development Institute; 2013 Feb.4Hardiman N. From conflict to co-ordination: economic governance and political innovation in Ireland. West European Politics. 2012 Oct 1;25(4):1-24.5Terry F. Condemned to repeat?: The paradox of humanitarian action. Cornell University Press; 2013 Apr 12.
Historical - “Discuss the extent to which visionary individuals have shaped the history of humanitarian action.”evaluating work of Mother Teresa and the organizations established by her we foundequality, faith and willingness to help the needy without religious, race or any other barrier.Organizations established by her are neither associated with any political parties nor showingany support to politicians. Impartiality principle also demands for providing and serving people on equality basiswithout having any distinctions due to gender, race, nationality, and ethnicity, political partyor religious belief. Through evaluating all works performed by Mother Teresa and I have gotsmall list of work performed by this great visionary individual is listed below: 1.Missionaries of Charitable work2.Home for the dying3.Leprosy Disease4.Orphanage for the needy5.HIV/AidsHer first humanitarian work was development of Missionaries of Charity in India in 1950.She recognized the need of poor people, she found that there were so many people that trulyneed shelter. She welcomed the people that were hungry, the naked, orphan, uncared orneglected by community, blind, lepers and all the individuals that were thrown unwanted,unloved, uncared by their family or by society. Mother Teresa opened home for the dying in 1952 in Calcutta, India. It demonstrated thepower of women to the world because in 1950s women were still wanted at home while shewas doing such great work for humanity. The home was open for people from every religion.All of the work performed by Mother Teresa and the work done by its missionaries andorganizations are autonomous does not have involvement of any political party or does nothave any self-motive or goals in mind. Analysing and evaluating her whole life and workperformed by her one can see independence performed and achieved in each of her work. Wecan take one of the humanitarian works performed by Mother Teresa for instance, and it wascreating a hospice for Leprosy Disease and it was named as Shanti Nagar. Along with thehospice, many clinics were also opened throughout Calcutta which gave first aid help, food,andmedicineswheneverneeded.Mother Teresa further created an orphanage known as NirmalShishuBhavan6. Another major6Calhoun C. The idea of emergency: Humanitarian action and global (dis) order. Zone Books; 2010.
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