Humanitarian Assistance: Research Proposal

Introduction

Challenges of speaking out about the atrocities that humanitarian actors witness bring into light the work by various humanitarian organizations in multiple capacities (Cahill 193). The world is prone to the occurrence of different phenomena or activities that pose disastrous challenges to people (Bornstein 661; Margesson 7). When they happen, an external force needs to come in and rescue the victims most suitably and humanely. These organizations act in the most gentle, appropriate and in a way that promotes humanity and regulation or evaluation criteria can determine this aspect (Gedde 68). This talk brings to light three main points. First is the risk of expulsion from a country after denouncing the atrocities taking place faced by workers and volunteers in every crisis. They know that they can only silently treat as many people as they cannot choose to incriminate the horror of caused by the disaster publically. Such utterings may not only lead to their immediate expulsion but also the desertion of the masses suffering these horrors (Sarooshi 14). Independence and credibility can help to solve the various challenges that face humanitarian organizations when offering their services.

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It is challenging for humanitarian organizations to publically denunciate crimes taking place in a country; therefore it requires an independent and credible organisation to take the task (LeBlanc 96; Obama 1). There are a series of steps that must be made and respected to the letter to verify and prove that the monstrosities in question are not mere allegations. Once that's done, there is still the deliberation between multiple leaders on how to deal with the problem at hand, which often, can take months (Smith 121). Even after choosing to go public with some issues, sometimes governments and media outlets decide to turn a blind eye, which renders MSF powerless; without any support or funds from the very people capable of intervening (Hanchard 27; Robinson 68).

It is essential to understand that communication is irreversible and cannot be taken back for anyone, especially not for large scaled organizations such as MSF, Croix-Rouge and the Red Cross (Hilhorst). It's why they have to be extremely cautious about any public message they release, whether it is about the atrocities witnessed or plea of help that is let out; such as the one that followed the earthquake in Haiti back in 2010, they have to pay very close attention to what they say. Equally, the theory of perception is also critical when realizing that perception is culture-bound and racially biased and that it is spontaneous and largely unconscious (Hallam 52; Kuijt 514; Verjee 60). Institutions such as the MSF understand the significance of avoiding unfair judgment towards other cultural practices or beliefs and not react irrationally based on feelings and sensitivity. They have to respect the fact that to each culture, different traditions, beliefs, opinions, etc. and not be quick to throw judgment (Streets, 117). Therefore, all humanitarian organizations should maintain good communication to ensure its credibility.

One of my challenges in writing the paper was ensuring that I argue from different perspectives where I could support an idea and also give an alternative or centrally opinion on the same argument. The paper will be essential in future studies on the same field as I addressed this challenge through extensive research. Taking notes every time I came across relevant data is the concept that I used in the previous and current assignments. My areas of improvement of the prior semester are in my growing proficiency in research and ensure that I get accurate and relevant information.

Conclusion

This paper shall benefit research students on the field of humanitarian assistance. They agree with me that more studies need to be undertaken in this subject area to identify credibility and independence of organizations. However, I need to work on my concentration capacity so that I do not get distracted before finishing an assignment. The strategy I intend to employ in revising my paper and compiling the final document is to use my friends and classmates to proofread my draft and help me identify mistakes. This strategy will, therefore, help me submit a paper with minimal errors.

Work Cited

Bornstein, Erica. "Faith, Liberty and the Individual in Humanitarian Assistance." Journal of Non-governmental Politics. Vol. 1, no. 1, 2007, pp. 658-667.

Cahill, Kevin M, and Kofi Annan. A Framework for Survival: Health, Human Rights, and Humanitarian Assistance in Conflicts and Disasters. London: Taylor and Francis Group, 2013. Print.

Gedde, Maia. Working in International Development and Humanitarian Assistance: A Career Guide. New York: Routledge, 2015. Print.

Hallam, Alistair. "Guidance for Evaluating Humanitarian Assistance in Complex Emergencies." Overseas development institute. London, 1998: 1-128. Oneworld.org. https://www.livestock-emergency.net/userfiles/file/common-standards/Hallam-1998.pdf. Web. 8 November 2018.

Hanchard, Doug. Constructive Convergence: Imagery and Humanitarian Assistance. Washington, DC: Center for Technology and National Security Policy, National Defense University, 2012. Print.

Hilhorst, Dorothea. "Classical humanitarianism and resilience humanitarianism: making sense of two brands of humanitarian action." Journal of International Humanitarian Action, Vol. 3. No. 15, 2018. https://jhumanitarianaction.springeropen.com/articles. Accessed 25 Sep. 2018.

Kuijt, Emilie E. Humanitarian Assistance and State Sovereignty in International Law :Towards a Comprehensive Framework. , Cambridge, United Kingdom: Intersentia, 2015. Print.

LeBlanc, Marie N, and Gosselin L. Audet. Faith and Charity: Religion and Humanitarian Assistance in West Africa. London: Pluto Press, 2016. Print.

Margesson, Rhoda. International Crises and Disasters: U.S. Humanitarian Assistance Response Mechanisms. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Research Service, 2013. Print.

Obama, Barack. Notification of the U.s. Supporting an Operation to Deliver Humanitarian Assistance: Communication from the President of the United States Transmitting a Notification of the U.s. Supporting an Operation to Deliver Humanitarian Assistance to Civilians in the Town of Amirli, Iraq. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2014. Web. 8 November 2018.

Robinson, Forrest G. Pulse of Humanitarian Assistance. Bronx: Fordham University Press, 2007. Print.

Sarooshi, Dan. Humanitarian Intervention and International Humanitarian Assistance: Law and Practice. London: HMSO, 1994. Print.

Smith, Hazel. Hungry for Peace: International Security, Humanitarian Assistance, and Social Change in North Korea. Washington, D.C: United States Institute of Peace, 2005. Print.

Streets, Julia, and Daniel S. Hamilton. Humanitarian Assistance: Improving Us-European Cooperation. Washington, D.C.: Center for Transatlantic Relations, The Johns Hopkins University/ Global public policy Institute, 2009. Print.

Verjee, Firoz. Gis Tutorial for Humanitarian Assistance. Redlands, Calif: ESRI Press, 2011. Print.critical

Requested List

Thesis Statement

Independence and credibility can help to solve the various challenges that face humanitarian organizations when offering their services. (Last sentence of Para. 1)

Discussion Highlights

It is challenging for humanitarian organizations to publically denunciate crimes taking place in a country; therefore it requires an independent and credible organisation to take the task. (LeBlanc 96; Obama 1). There are a series of steps that must be made and respected to the letter to verify and prove that the monstrosities in question are not mere allegations. (Para. 2)

Communication is a key element in ensuring credibility of an organization. It is essential to understand that communication is irreversible and cannot be taken back for anyone, especially not for large scaled organizations such as MSF, Croix-Rouge and the Red Cross (Hilhorst). Institutions such as the MSF understand the significance of avoiding unfair judgment towards other cultural practices or beliefs and not react irrationally based on feelings and sensitivity. (Para. 3)

Audience

This paper shall benefit research students on the field of humanitarian assistance. They agree with me that more studies need to be undertaken in this subject area to identify credibility an independence of organizations. (Last Para.)