World Humanitarian Day: India’s Humanitarian Champions

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Humanitarian Day

World Humanitarian Day is celebrated globally every year on August 19. As the name suggests, it’s a day dedicated to reflecting on the essence of “humanity.”

In your daily life, whether while traveling or in your neighborhood, you’ve likely witnessed moments of humanity. Perhaps you’ve seen someone come to another’s aid, saving lives, sometimes even at great personal risk. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, frontline workers exemplified true humanity by risking their lives to save others. Sadly, many doctors, policemen, and media professionals lost their lives while fulfilling their duties.

Significance of World Humanitarian Day

The significance of World Humanitarian Day is to create awareness of the current global crises. It requires our immediate attention and celebration of the selflessness of humanitarians. The theme for World Humanitarian Day 2024 is #NoMatterWhat: Humanitarians Deliver. The theme, moreover, emphasizes the exceptional dedication exhibited by humanitarian aid workers as they assist those in need, regardless of the difficulties they encounter and the risks to their own lives.

India is a land of Dharma (religions). All religions have room for peace and humanity. Moreover, those who follow religion with a broad mind keep humanity above all religions. The nation is a humanitarian landscape, as its numerous organizations dedicate themselves to serving the underprivileged.

Understand the theme of World Humanitarian Day 2024

The theme of Humanitarian Day 2024 pays tribute to the non-stop determination of the people who operate in some of the most difficult situations to help others even without worrying for their own lives. The day, furthermore, highlights their efforts, determination, and courage amidst a growing number of global crises, such as wars, natural calamities, and other emergencies.

Additionally, this year marks the twentieth anniversary of the 22 humanitarian workers who were tragically killed during the attack on UN headquarters in Baghdad. This theme, therefore, reminds us that field practitioners still face significant dangers. Consequently, we need to continue supporting and upholding humanity around the globe.

In relation to India, “NoMatterWhat: Humanitarians Deliver” also sheds light on the country’s darker side, specifically complex humanitarian issues.

The problems include poverty, malnutrition, and lack of access to essential services, emphasizing the need to prioritize human rights, dignity, and welfare in humanitarian responses.

India’s Humanitarian Landscape

There are numerous significant humanitarian issues experienced by India that influence its complex socio-economic fabric. Repeated floods and earthquakes result in the loss of lives and livelihoods. There is often limited access to basic services due to socioeconomic disparities.

In this landscape, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and government initiatives play a crucial role in facilitating humanitarian aid. These organizations mobilize resources, provide disaster relief, and implement development programs. The programs include child education, women empowerment, healthcare programs, food banks and cloth banks. India’s humanitarian response is further characterized by a unique blend of local culture, grassroots activism, and resilience. They collectively contribute to innovative approaches to addressing humanitarian needs.

There are many reflections of humanity in India who may not be among us today, but they are still remembered with pride. Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi are prominent among them.

Spotlight on India’s Top Humanitarian Organizations

India is home to numerous important humanitarian organizations that are making big differences in various sectors. Let’s look at some of these organizations and support them on this humanitarian day:

1. Goonj

Mission: To rehabilitate the dignity of deprived communities through social and material resources that address their basic needs.

Areas of Focus: disaster relief, education, women’s empowerment, and rural development.

Major Achievements:

  • The organization’s disaster relief initiative Rahat has been very beneficial. They have provided rescue and rehabilitation support to the affected communities during floods and earthquakes.
  • Goonj has initiated innovative projects like Cloth for Work . It delivers clothes and other necessities to villagers in exchange for their involvement in local developmental activities.
  • Goonj is reaching out to far-off places through its vast network within India. In fact, it has impacted over 3 million people across India through innovative resource mobilization and community engagement.
  • Internationally, Goonj is known for its sustainable approach to helping humanity and community development.

How to reach them:

2. Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS)

Mission: To promote humanitarian and spiritual activities that can increase the welfare of humankind.

Areas of Focus: social welfare, disaster management, health care services, environmental conservation, and rural development.

Major Achievements:

  • You will be amazed to know that DSS successfully runs 163 welfare works and doesn’t accept any kind of donation. Dera has an international following of more than 65 million people. As a result, they undertake different forms of charitable work to alleviate suffering worldwide.
  • Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, Dera Chief, has been famous in India for decades for his unique films and songs. The movies and songs spread spiritual and humanitarian messages along with entertainment.
  • Dera has its own army of 70,000 volunteers under the name Shah Satnam Ji Green S Welfare Force Wing . They are professionally trained in disaster management and relief, medical, and architectural services.
  • Dera has its branches abroad too, which organize blood donation camps, conduct cleanliness drives from time to time. They reach and rescue sufferers in disaster-hit areas as a priority.
  • The organization and its head have 70+ world records in fields like tree plantations, blood donation, eye check-up camps, cleanliness drives, etc.
  • The volunteers willingly and legally donate kidneys to needy people and bodies posthumously for medical research.
  • They also run institutions such as schools and hospitals with free services for the poor. Initiatives like “Aashiyana” focus on providing shelter to homeless people. Thus, demonstrating their commitment to fulfilling the basic necessities of the underprivileged.
  • The organization runs a campaign named DEPTH . The campaign helps those people who are willing to leave their drug addiction. Notably, they can easily shun the evil without any medical help through the powerful method of meditation given by the Dera chief. Currently, over 70 million Dera followers are living a drug-free life.

How to reach them:

3. CRY (Child Rights and You)

Mission: To bring back the rights of children and ensure their overall growth.

Areas of Focus: Education, health care, and protection from abuse of children.

Major Achievements:

  • CRY has advocated for policy changes at the national level. For example, it has brought the Right to Education Act.
  • They have succeeded in rescuing thousands of child laborers who were later admitted back to school.
  • CRY frequently carries out campaigns that focus on raising awareness concerning child rights, like Help End Period Shame, the fight against child marriage, child trafficking prevention programs, etc., which highlight the troubles of deprived young ones.
  • Importantly, this holistic approach further involves engaging with parents and communities to ensure sustainable change in children’s lives.

How to reach them:

4. Smile Foundation

Mission: Making poor children, young people, and women strong through practical education, creative health care, and market-oriented living programs.

Areas of Focus: Child Education, Health Care, and Livelihood Support

Major Achievements:

  • Smile Foundation makes the lives of over 1.5 million children and their families easier annually through 350 projects throughout India.
  • More than 120,000 children in 27 states of India have been educated under the flagship program called Shiksha Na Ruke.
  • Additionally, Health Cannot Wait is an outreach initiative that delivers primary healthcare services to marginalized communities.
  • Smile Foundation also promotes community involvement in order to ensure that all its undertakings are enduringly effective.

How to reach them:

5. The Indian Army

We have specially mentioned the Indian Army here because it has a major role in serving humanity selflessly. It has a special place in every Indian’s heart.

Mission: To defend the nation from external threats while also contributing to nation-building and humanitarian efforts during peacetime.

Areas of Focus: Disaster Relief, Border Area Development, Medical Camps, and Education Initiatives in Remote Areas

Major Achievements:

  • The Indian Army has played a unique role in disaster relief military operations. The operations include Operation Rahat (Uttarakhand flood rescue operation), Operation Maitri (earthquake relief in Nepal) and many more.
  • Generally, remote border areas have a limited access to education. The schools run by the army offer good-quality education to the kids living in these areas.
  • Additionally, Sadbhavana (goodwill) projects of the Army include the constructing infrastructure, medical camps, and vocational training in conflict-ridden and remote areas.
  • The contributions of the Indian Army do not end at national borders. It actively participates in UN peacekeeping operations globally, thus enhancing peace and stability in different parts of the world.

How can You help them?

Individuals can support these groups in many ways, like:

  • Volunteering: Donate your time or skills to them by contacting their branches in your area.
  • Donating: providing financial support to the projects of the organizations that accept donations.
  • Raising awareness: creating awareness among your communities about the vital work done by these organizations and promoting their work on social media platforms.
  • Keep following their upcoming activities: These NGOs actively keep helping poor and needy on various occasions. Keep following their activities to ensure your participation especially on the days like World Humanitarian Day, Labour Day, Human Rights Day, International Women’s Day, etc.

Impact on Beneficiary Communities

Many of the organizations face resource constraints due to overwhelming needs across communities. Despite these challenges, their programs enable numerous support systems. They offer food, hygiene kits, and mental health services, displaying resilience and good crisis management.

Consequently, lives are improving significantly. A high number of people are benefiting from these humanitarian services, which promote unity in communities while empowering marginalized communities.

Inspiring Stories

In addition, we have stories of personal experience from humanitarian workers for the world humanitarian day 2024. These stories provide insights into the joys and challenges of doing their job. Let us be encouraged to become advocates for these causes and share our experiences to motivate others.

  1. Amanjot Kaur Insan: A Remarkable Story of Humanity and Organ Donation
  2. Stories of COVID Warriors from CRY’s On-Ground Team
  3. Stories of Change
  4. Heart-wrenching ground realities of drug abuse

Conclusion

On the whole, World Humanitarian Day is a time to remember that human welfare should always be prioritized during crises. Let us pay tribute to all the humanitarian workers and organizations on this Humanitarian Day of 2024. India, with its diverse network of humanitarian groups and activities, displays a dedication to tackling both local and global issues. Every day is humanitarian day for these humanity saviours.

Humanity remains alive through personal involvement, supporting, and participating in campaigns for human rights. Wouldn’t it be nice if we commemorated World Humanitarian Day in our daily lives by performing tiny acts of kindness? Consider helping an elderly neighbor, volunteering at a local shelter, or simply raising awareness about worldwide humanitarian issues. We should join our hands and strive if we want to improve the world around us. “NoMatterWhat: Humanitarians Deliver” must not only be a slogan but also a way of life.

Happy World Humanitarian Day!

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