University Report: Analysis of Humanitarian Interview and Principles

This report provides a detailed analysis of an interview with a Red Cross humanitarian worker, Erica, focusing on the application of humanitarian principles. The interview explores the principle of humanity, its importance in aid distribution, and how the Red Cross implements these principles. It examines challenges faced by workers, such as community resistance and volunteer shortages, and proposes technology as a solution for improving service delivery and identifying areas needing aid. The report also delves into the practical aspects of humanitarian work, including community involvement and the impact of these principles on the ground, ultimately concluding that the principle of humanity is crucial and technology can play a vital role in overcoming obstacles.

Closer analysis of an Interview
Name of the Student-
Name of the University-
Author note-

1CLOSER ANALYSIS OF AN INTERVIEW
Introduction
The idea of humanitarian principles is intrinsically connected to the idea of humanitarian
aid, which refers to the distribution of help to the poor and needy (European Commission 2019,
para.1). Aiming to analyze the various factors of humanitarian principles and its application and
practices, this paper strives to enlist and decode an interview process with one of the
humanitarian members working in Red Cross.
The interviewee Erica had been working in Red Cross as a humanitarian and discharging
the duties of a humanitarian. Erica has enrolled her herself in this organization due to her innate
desire for reaching to the poor, helpless and the needy. Working as a volunteer in the initial
stages, Erica had escalated to acquire the position of one of the chief members and contributors.
Having worked rigorously in the organization for five years, Erica is aware of the various
nuances associated with the implication of the humanitarian principles. Erica had volunteered as
a Community Visitor Volunteer in her initial stages. While discharging this role, she had been
exposed to the various problems and challenges in the suburban communities. She has involved
herself in experiences such as fundraising activities and participation in community activities.
She had seen and experienced the devastating circumstances that certain section of people reside
in. She had even worked to uplift the lives of prisoners. She is currently positioned as the Head
Member.
Discussion
Humanitarian principles refer to those principles that act as yardsticks for concretizing
and realizing the goals of distributing the humanitarian aids. The principle that is chosen is the
principle of humanity. Humanity is one of the most important aspects of humanitarian ideologies

2CLOSER ANALYSIS OF AN INTERVIEW
(Robertson, G, 2013). This refers to the idea of addressing human needs and alleviating human
grief in a very compassionate and humane manner. Humanity refers to the concept of the
compassionate treatment that is meted to human beings and is one of the most important aspects
that is intricately connected with humanitarian ideals and laws (Fast 2015, p. 121).
Question 1:
Do you think that the principle of humanity is an important aspect in providing
humanitarian aid?
In reply to this question, Erica had replied that (interview via Skype, 8 December 2019),
the principle and practice of humanity is important in the proper implementation and realization
of objectives of Red Cross. She goes onto mention that practicing the idea of humanity can
ensure distribution of aid in a manner that has no room for deprivation of any kind. Exercising
and maintaining a gentle and benevolent attitude while distributing can aid can lead to the greater
recognition by the affected community and greater penetration into the labyrinth of the affected
areas. In many cases, it is seen that members fail to incorporate this idea.
Critical Analysis:
In terms of theory, the concept of humanity encompasses the idea of humanitarian aid,
which refers to the process of distributing assistance to affected communities and areas following
the norms of the humanitarian principles. The principle and presence of humanity is crucial in
implementing the various nuances of humanitarian ideologies. The prevalent principle of
humanity is intrinsically related to the national and international sphere (Aas & Gundus 2014, p
12). Studies have projected that it is extremely crucial to inculcate the values of humanity in
practice to eradicate the various problems faced by communities throughout the world. To

3CLOSER ANALYSIS OF AN INTERVIEW
provide humanitarian aid in an equal and proportionate way, it is important for humanitarian
organizations to take into consideration and implement practices related to humanity. In order to
implement the practice of humanitarian aid, it is necessary to follow the principle of humanity
and impartiality (Sandvik et al 2014, p. 230). In addition to this, humanitarian benevolence forms
a crucial part in the practice of humanity (Musarò 2016, p. 2). This is a challenge because most
of the workers in various organizations fail to adopt the benevolent attitude.
Question 2
How is the humanitarian principle of humanity concretized by the organization?
Erica had mentioned (interview via Skype, 8 December 2019) that Red Cross Australia
works to realize the objective of fulfilling the needs and aspirations of the citizens in need. The
aspect of humanity is one of the chief concerns of the organization. While engaging in activities
such as community participation and distributing help to affected communities, Red Cross takes
into consideration the factor that each affected community’s grievances are eliminated in a
manner that addresses each person concerned. She had even mentioned that assistance is given to
communities and people following a very compassionate body language and attitude. The
volunteers of Red Cross strive to focus on humanity by focusing on the over-all well-being of the
helpless. The organization also caters to the needs of humanity by engaging with the local
community in an extremely friendly and compassionate manner.
Critical Analysis:
It is to be noted that Red Cross Australia strives to work for the betterment of the people
in need. Through its various activities such as fundraisers, regular visits and participation with
the affected communities, Red Cross Australia has tried to address the need of communities. The
principle of humanity is also practiced in the above-mentioned organization in its daily practice

4CLOSER ANALYSIS OF AN INTERVIEW
and activities. It is also to be noted that the principle of humanity is one of the functional aspects
that needs to be inculcated in any humanitarian work (Redcross.org.au 2019, para. 1).
Question 3
Do the workers face any challenge while following the principle of humanity?
Erica had mentioned that the volunteers and workers face certain problems while
following the principle of humanity in undertaking various activities. She had elaborated that
there are certain communities that refuse to abide by the words of the workers. In fact, it is also
seen that some section of helpless and affected communities fail to comprehend the intentions of
the workers and refuse to take their assistance. It is indeed a challenge to meet the objectives of
the organizations by following the principle of humanity. In addition to this, the various activities
conducted by the organization is faced by various challenges that impend the implementation of
the humanitarian principle in real life. Erica had even elaborated that myriad organizational
activities face challenges in the form of non-participation of either the volunteers or the hostile
communities.
Critical Analysis:
Studies justify the fact that workers and volunteers for implementing the ideas of
humanity face certain methodological challenges (Vareilles et al., 2015). Recent studies have
presented that the principle of humanity as fading among the modern generation (Basaran 2015,
p. 210). Even the volunteers and workers of certain organizations fail to live up to the objectives
and goals of the humanitarian organizations. The sheer lack of willing volunteers and members is
also one of the major factors that hinders the practice and implementation of the principle of
humanity in organizations (Reuter, Heger & Pipek 2013, p. 4). In addition to this, the responses
by the interviewee can be critically analyzed taking into consideration the various aspects of the

5CLOSER ANALYSIS OF AN INTERVIEW
principle of humanity. Humanity demands the recognition and alleviation of pains of every
community. To concretize this humanitarian principle, even the communities should cooperate to
allow the organizations such as Red Cross to realize their principles. Studies have also shown
that though some aboriginal women participate in activities, they remain aloof in most cases
(Nettleback et al 2016, p. 7). Rural areas in Australia need economic support and help to fight
against the hostile environmental conditions (Kotey 2014, p. 325).Without the presence of
cooperation between the two parties, it is not possible for social welfare to be realized and
concretized for the purpose of humanity. It is also seen that there are certain hostile aboriginal
sections in Australia that refuse to accept any interference of organizations, which, in turn, leads
to the creation of impediments in spreading the humanitarian principle of humanity.
Question 4
Is there any solution to the challenges faced while implementing humanity in the
humanitarian field?
Erica had mentioned that (2019), the solutions to the challenges rests in the use of
technology in every aspect. Technological means can ensure the proper delivery of service and
gauging the areas that need to be covered for humanitarian activities.
Critical Analysis:
For the effective implementation of the principle of humanity in the humanitarian
framework, it is essential to look for solutions to face the various challenges. Studies have
projected the fact that the use of technological means can assist in creating awareness about the
ideology of humanity that is practiced by organizations such as Red Cross. The use of
technology can help in the greater expansion of humanity to remote areas and can also assist in

6CLOSER ANALYSIS OF AN INTERVIEW
identifying the communities that need help (Sandvick et al 2016, p. 21). The principle of
humanity also entails the idea of understanding the predicaments of the bereaved. Rampant use
of technology can help in gauging these ideas. Technology can also assist in alleviating the pains
of the homeless (Linnell et al 2014, p. 580).
Conclusion
After analyzing the above-discussed idea, it can be concluded that the principle of
humanity in humanitarian aspects is an important principle that needs to be understood and
implemented by the organizations. To achieve the respective goals, it is important for
humanitarian organizations to inculcate the practice of humanity. It can also be concluded that
the interview had presented about the various challenges that come up while this principle is
implemented by the humanitarian sector. In conclusion, it can be said thaft these challenges can
be resolved by the use of technology.

7CLOSER ANALYSIS OF AN INTERVIEW
References
Aas, K.F & Gundhus, HO, 2014, Policing humanitarian borderlands: Frontex, human rights and
the precariousness of life. British Journal of Criminology, 55(1), pp.1-18.
Basaran, T, 2015, The saved and the drowned: Governing indifference in the name of
security. Security Dialogue, 46(3), pp.205-220.
European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations - European Commission 2019,
"Humanitarian principles - European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations -
European Commission", European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations -
European Commission, retrieved 10 January 2019, <https://ec.europa.eu/echo/who/humanitarian-
aid-and-civil-protection/humanitarian-principles_en>.
Fast, L, 2015, Unpacking the principle of humanity: Tensions and implications. International
Review of the Red Cross, 97(897-898), pp.111-131.
Kotey, B, 2014, Small business innovation in the hostile environment of Australia's drought
stricken rural communities. Australasian Journal of Regional Studies, The, 20(2), p.325.
Linnell, N, Figueira, S, Chintala, N, Falzarano, L & Ciancio, V, 2014, October. Hack for the
homeless: A humanitarian technology hackathon. In Global Humanitarian Technology
Conference (GHTC), 2014 IEEE (pp. 577-584). IEEE.
Musarò, P, 2016. The political ‘migration crisis’ and the military-humanitarian response. Euro
Crisis in the Press.
Nettelbeck, A, Smandych, R., Knafla, LA and Foster, R, 2016, Fragile Settlements: Aboriginal
Peoples, Law, and Resistance in South-West Australia and Prairie Canada. UBC Press.

8CLOSER ANALYSIS OF AN INTERVIEW
Redcross.org.au 2019, "Volunteer with Red Cross", Redcross.org.au, retrieved 10 January 2019,
<https://www.redcross.org.au/get-involved/connect/volunteer>.
Reuter, C, Heger, O & Pipek, V, 2013, May, Combining real and virtual volunteers through
social media. In Iscram.
Robertson, G, 2013, Crimes against humanity: The struggle for global justice. The New Press.
Sandvik, K.B, Jumbert, M.G, Karlsrud, J & Kaufmann, M, 2014, Humanitarian technology: a
critical research agenda. International Review of the Red Cross, 96(893), pp.219-242.
Vareilles, G, Pommier, J, Kane, S, Pictet, G & Marchal, B, 2015, Understanding the motivation
and performance of community health volunteers involved in the delivery of health programmes
in Kampala, Uganda: a realist evaluation protocol. BMJ open, 5(1), p.e006752.