Humanitarian work refers to the provision of material and logistical assistance to people who need help, usually in emergency situations. It is a short-term help until the long-term help by the government and other institutions replaces it. Humanitarian aid can come from either local or international communities, and it is seen as "a fundamental expression of the universal value of solidarity between people and a moral imperative". Humanitarian aid can be delivered through aid workers sent by bilateral, multilateral or intergovernmental organizations, such as the United Nations, but also by actors like the affected people themselves, civil society, local informal first-responders, civil society, the diaspora, businesses, local governments, military, local and international non-governmental organizations. The total number of humanitarian aid workers around the world has been calculated by ALNAP, a network of agencies working in the Humanitarian System, as 210,800 in 2008.
Humanitarian work is guided by principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. Humanity means that human suffering must be addressed wherever it is found, with particular attention to the most vulnerable. Neutrality means that humanitarian aid must not favor any side in an armed conflict or other dispute. Impartiality means that humanitarian aid must be provided solely on the basis of need, without discrimination. Independence means the autonomy of humanitarian objectives from political, economic, military, or other objectives.
Humanitarian work can take many forms, including medical aid, disaster response, fundraising, and program management. Humanitarian careers are widespread and diverse but all with a single goal: helping others in a time of need. Humanitarian aid workers face many challenges, including navigating complex political and security environments, and responding to crises that threaten the health, safety, and well-being of a community or large group of people.
The primary goal of humanitarian assistance is to save lives and alleviate suffering by ensuring that vulnerable and crisis-affected individuals receive assistance and protection. The United States is the largest single provider of humanitarian assistance worldwide, providing life-saving assistance to tens of millions of displaced and crisis-affected people, including refugees, worldwide.
