The primary objective of humanitarian action is to save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain human dignity, without regard for race, religion or political affiliations. Beyond responding immediately to disasters, many NGOs provide longer-term assistance through such vital services as health care, shelter, distribution of food and other items, and water and sanitation. Disaster risk reduction activities are also important and cost-effective tools for crisis-prone communities.

For decades, humanitarian organizations within the InterAction coalition have provided services, materials and logistical aid to populations in crises. InterAction supports the work of these members by compiling and widely distributing a crisis response update and detailed list of member activities for each crisis situation to the media and other stakeholders. Through the Sphere Project and other initiatives, standards have been developed for the delivery and accountability of humanitarian aid. Although historically humanitarian organizations have been considered inviolable, aid workers are now routinely targeted for banditry, kidnappings and worse. In 2008, 122 aid workers were murdered and 260 assaulted, making it the most lethal year to date.

Humanitarian Action Videos

Civil-Military Relations:Working with NGOs

This video describes for military audiences the non-governmental organizations they may encounter while engaged in humanitarian and peacekeeping missions. Blending action footage and interviews, the video compares and contrasts the two cultures – from philosophies and training to values and structures – in an effort to prepare the military for contact with NGOs in the field.
 

Civilian-Military Relations: Working with the Military

This second video in the series describes the military structure and way of operating in order to introduce civilians to the military culture.