Workshop Summary: Natural Vs. Politically-Made Humanitarian Situations

Islamic Relief USA hosted a Wednesday workshop featuring Dr. Adam Koons of International Relief & Development and Bill Canny of Catholic Relief Services.  Both panelists addressed a number of the critical questions and challenges NGOs face when responding to natural vs. politically-made disasters.   

The questions included in the discussion were: How do nongovernmental organizations determine when to enter or hold back in providing humanitarian assistance in the politically changing landscapes of today’s world?  How does this differ in natural vs. political humanitarian crises? How do humanitarian organizations plan and execute operations given the volatile and dynamic nature of the environments in which these organizations work?  And how do faith-based NGOs navigate around these highly sensitive issues while maintaining both focus and neutrality?

Drawing from decades of combined field experience, the remarks from both presenters were insightful – stirring debate and discussion.  Among several others, topics raised by participants included keeping NGO staff and beneficiaries safe from harm; gaining access in various settings; inclusion of local NGOs;  the perception of impartiality and neutrality; and the limits on how far a humanitarian organization will go in order to provide assistance.  And while it was clear that techniques and strategies must adapt depending on circumstance, Koons provided a perceptive comment which summarized the importance of humanitarian response whether it be a natural or politically made crisis: “You go where you’re needed, and you go because that is what you do.”   

By Tawana Jacobs, associate director of public relations at InterAction